[Federal Register: October 25, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 207)]
[Notices]               
[Page 65596-65597]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25oc02-103]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service
 
Notice of Inventory Completion: Williamson Museum, Northwestern 
State University, Natchitoches, LA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Notice is hereby given under the Native American Graves Protection 
and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3003, Sec. 5, of the 
completion of an inventory of human remains and associated funerary 
objects in the possession of the Williamson Museum, Northwestern State 
University, Natchotoches, LA. These human remains and associated 
funerary objects were removed from the Colfax Ferry site (16-NA-15), 
Rapids Parish, LA.
    This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's 
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003, Sec. 5 
(d)(3). The determinations within this notice are the sole 
responsibility of the museum, institution, or Federal Agency 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 and associated funerary 
objects was made by the Williamson Museum professional staff and 
representatives of the Tunica-Biloxi Indian Tribe of Louisiana.
    In 1959-1960, human remains were discovered by Dr. Clarence H. Webb 
during archeological excavations at the Colfax Ferry site (16-NA-15), 
Rapids Parish, LA. While most of the human remains were left in situ, 
the remains of seven individuals were removed by Dr. Webb and donated 
to the Williamson Museum in 1991. No known individuals were identified. 
The 74 associated funerary objects are 3 spoon fragments, 1 pewter 
spoon handle, 2 wrought nails, 19 cut nails, 2 pair of scissors, 1 pin, 
2 iron tools, 1 butcher knife handle, 1 table knife, 1 long flattened 
iron tube, 1 ferrous can (fragments), 1 ferrous can or kettle 
(fragments), 10 wire rim can fragments, 1 brass disc, 1 silver earring 
dangle, 6 circular silver ornaments, 1 peppermint bottle, 2 French 
glass bottles, 1 goblet base, 2 cloth fragments, 3 gunflints, 1 lead 
musket ball, 1 quartz strike-a-lite, 1 can of vermillion, 1 flint 
flake, 1 triangular chert biface, and 7 European ceramic sherds (banded 
ware, blue-edged ware, cream ware). Dr. Webb donated other items from 
the Colfax Ferry site (16-NA-15) to the Louisiana Division of 
Archaeology.
    The funerary objects recovered from the Colfax Ferry site (16-NA-
15) indicate that these human remains and associated funerary objects 
were most likely interred between 1764 and 1820. Historiographic data, 
oral traditions, and information gained in consultation concerning the 
collection indicate that the Colfax Ferry site (16-NA-15) is located in 
the area occupied by the Pascagoula and Biloxi Indians during the late 
18th and early 19th centuries. Descendants of the Pascagoula and Biloxi 
Indians are represented by the Tunica-Biloxi Indian Tribe of Louisiana.
    Officials of the Williamson Museum have determined that, pursuant 
to 25 U.S.C. 3001, Sec. 2 (9) and 2 (10), the human remains listed 
above represent the physical remains of seven individuals of Native 
American ancestry. Officials of the Williamson Museum also have 
determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001, Sec. 2 (3)(A), the 74 
associated funerary objects

[[Page 65597]]

listed above are reasonably believed to have been placed with or near 
individual human remains at the time of death or later as part of a 
death rite or ceremony. Lastly, officials of the Williamson Museum have 
determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001, Sec. 2 (2), there is a 
relationship of shared group identity that can be reasonably traced 
between these Native American human remains and associated funerary 
objects and the Tunica-Biloxi Indian Tribe of Louisiana.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with these human remains and associated 
funerary objects should contact Dr. Pete Gregory, Director, Williamson 
Museum, Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA 71457, 
telephone (318) 357-4364, before November 25, 2002. Repatriation of 
these human remains and associated funerary objects to the Tunica-
Biloxi Indian Tribe of Louisiana may begin after that date if no 
additional claimants come forward.
    The Williamson Museum is responsible for notifying the Tunica-
Biloxi Indian Tribe of Louisiana that this notice has been published.

    Dated: September 30, 2002.
Robert Stearns,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 02-27249 Filed 10-24-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-S