Notice of Inventory Completion: Department of Anthropology, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK

AGENCY:

National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Anthropology, University of Alaska Anchorage 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 Department of Anthropology, University of Alaska Anchorage. 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 Department of Anthropology, University of Alaska Anchorage at the address in this notice by October 3, 2019.

ADDRESSES:

Dr. John Stalvey, Interim Provost, University of Alaska Anchorage, 3211 Providence Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508, telephone (907) 786-1050, email Jstalvey@alaska.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 under the control of the Department of Anthropology, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK. The human remains were removed from Korovinski site (UNL-020), Atka Island, Aleutians West Borough, AK.

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 Alaska Native 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 the Department of Anthropology, University of Alaska Anchorage professional staff in consultation with representatives of the Native Village of Atka.

History and Description of the Remains

In 1975 or 1976, human remains representing, at minimum, four individuals were removed from the Korovinski Site (UNL-063), Atka Island, Aleutians West Borough, AK. Human remains of three individuals and isolated human skeletal elements pertaining at a minimum to one additional individual were excavated by Douglas W. Veltre and colleagues with the permission of the Atxam Corporation under the Federal Antiquities Act permit #74-AK-024. Extensive interviews with Atka village elders were undertaken from 1974 to 1979. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are present.

Archeological, ethnohistoric, and oral tradition data all place this individual within the traditional territory of the Unangas (Western Aleuts) of Atka village. The Korovinski site is ancestral to the contemporary village of Atka, which was founded in the 1870s. The Aleut people have lived in this area for at least 6000 years, and are the only people associated with the Korovinski area.

Determinations Made by the Department of Anthropology, University of Alaska Anchorage

Officials of the Department of Anthropology, University of Alaska Anchorage have determined that:

• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of four individuals of Alaska Native ancestry.
• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the Alaska Native human remains and the Native Village of Atka.

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. John Stalvey, Interim Provost, University of Alaska Anchorage, 3211 Providence Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508, telephone (907) 786-1050, email Jstalvey@alaska.edu, by October 3, 2019. After that date, if no additional requestors have come forward, transfer of control of the human remains to the Native Village of Atka may proceed.

The Department of Anthropology, University of Alaska Anchorage is responsible for notifying the Native Village of Atka that this notice has been published.