[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 86 (Thursday, May 3, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22250-22251]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-11138]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
and Associated Funerary Objects in the Possession of the U.S. 
Department of Defense, National Museum of Health and Medicine, Armed 
Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, DC

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of the Native 
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 43 CFR 10.9, 
of the completion of an inventory of human remains and associated 
funerary objects in the possession of the U.S. Department of Defense, 
National Museum of Health and Medicine, Armed Forces Institute of 
Pathology (formerly the Army Medical Museum), Washington, DC.
    This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's 
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 43 CFR 10.2 (c). The 
determinations within this notice are the sole responsibility of the 
museum, institution, or Federal agency

[[Page 22251]]

that has control of these Native American human remains and associated 
funerary objects. The National Park Service is not responsible for the 
determinations within this notice.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by National 
Museum of Health and Medicine, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology 
professional staff in consultation with representatives of Blackfeet 
Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana.
    In 1873, human remains representing one individual were sent to the 
National Museum of Health and Medicine, Armed Forces Institute of 
Pathology by U.S. Army Assistant Surgeon John D. Hall of Fort Benton, 
Chouteau County, MT. In 1872, the individual received a leg wound in 
battle with Crow Indians, and traveled to Fort Benton where the injured 
leg was amputated by Assistant Surgeon Hall. The individual is 
identified as Nap-pan-na-qua (also noted in the accession records as 
``White Man''). No associated funerary objects are present.
    In 1869, human remains representing one individual were collected 
from Three Buttes, MT, by U.S. Army Assistant Surgeon Elliot Coues. The 
individual was killed by Assiniboin Indians at Three Buttes. Also in 
1869, Assistant Surgeon Coues sent the remains to the Smithsonian 
Institution. In 1874, the remains were transferred from the Smithsonian 
Institution to the National Museum of Health and Medicine, Armed Forces 
Institute of Pathology. No known individual was identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    Based on accession records of the National Museum of Health and 
Medicine, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, the individuals have 
been determined to be Native American. Accession records also indicate 
that the individuals were Peigan Indian males. Biological evidence of 
the individuals' injuries is consistent with the accession file 
information. Historically, the Piegan were a constituent band of the 
Blackfeet which are now recognized as the Blackfeet Tribe of the 
Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana. To date, consultation with the 
Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana has not 
identified a lineal descendent.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the National 
Museum of Health and Medicine, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology have 
determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the human remains 
listed above represent the physical remains of two individuals of 
Native American ancestry. Officials of the National Museum of Health 
and Medicine, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology also have determined 
that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a relationship of shared 
group identity that can be reasonably traced between these Native 
American human remains and the Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian 
Reservation of Montana.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Blackfeet Tribe of 
the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana. Representatives of any 
other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated 
with these human remains should contact Lenore Barbian, Ph.D., 
Assistant Curator, Anatomical Collections, National Museum of Health 
and Medicine, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Walter Reed Army 
Medical Center, Building 54, Washington, DC 20306-6000, telephone (202) 
782-2203, before June 4, 2001. Repatriation of the human remains to the 
Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana may 
begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward.

    Dated: April 11, 2001.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 01-11138 Filed 5-2-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F