Notice of Inventory Completion: Department of Anthropology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN

AGENCY:

National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Anthropology at Indiana University, Bloomington has completed an inventory of human remains, in consultation with the appropriate Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and present-day Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to request transfer of control of these human remains should submit a written request to the Indiana University NAGPRA Office. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains to the lineal descendants, Indian tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

DATES:

Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to request transfer of control of these human remains should submit a written request with information in support of the request to the Indiana University NAGPRA Office at the address in this notice by July 8, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

Dr. Jayne-Leigh Thomas, NAGPRA Director, Indiana University, NAGPRA Office, Student Building 318, 701 East Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47405, telephone (812) 856-5315, email thomajay@indiana.edu.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Notice is here given in accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3003, of the completion of an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects under the control of the Department of Anthropology at Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.

This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003(d)(3). The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of the Native American human remains. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.

Consultation

A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Indiana University professional staff in consultation with representatives of the Jena Band of the Choctaw Indians; the Mississippi Band of the Choctaw Indians; and The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.

History and Description of the Remains

In 1956, human remains representing, at minimum, 1 individual were donated to the Department of Anthropology at Indiana University from the Cincinnati Society of Natural History. Notes indicate that these human remains may have been part of the Chicago Historical Society collections prior to 1950. The human remains are labeled as belonging to a Choctaw Indian. No other information is present. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are present.

Determinations Made by Indiana University

Officials of the Department of Anthropology at Indiana University have determined that:

• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of one individual of Native American ancestry.
• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the Native American human remains and the Jena Band of the Choctaw Indians; the Mississippi Band of the Choctaw Indians; and The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.

Additional Requestors and Disposition

Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to request transfer of control of these human remains should submit a written request with information in support of the request to Dr. Jayne-Leigh Thomas, NAGPRA Director, Indiana University, NAGPRA Office, Student Building 318, 701 East Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47405, telephone (812) 856-5315, email thomajay@indiana.edu, by July 8, 2016. After that date, if no additional requestors have come forward, transfer of control of the human remains and associated funerary objects to the Jena Band of the Choctaw Indians; the Mississippi Band of the Choctaw Indians; and The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma may proceed.

Indiana University is responsible for notifying the Jena Band of the Choctaw Indians; the Mississippi Band of the Choctaw Indians; and The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma that this notice has been published.