Overview
Title
Notice of Inventory Completion: Indiana University, Bloomington, IN; Correction
Agencies
ELI5 AI
Indiana University found some old bones and things that belonged to Native American tribes and had to fix a list about them. If no one else claims them by a certain date, they might give these items to a group of tribes in North Dakota.
Summary AI
Indiana University has updated its inventory of human remains and funerary objects, previously published in the Federal Register, by correcting the number of individuals and items listed. If anyone from an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not mentioned in the notice wants to claim these remains and objects, they must contact the Indiana University NAGPRA Office by March 1, 2021. If no new requests are made, the items may be transferred to the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, North Dakota. This notice was part of the requirements under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.
Abstract
Indiana University has corrected an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects, published in a Notice of Inventory Completion in the Federal Register on December 2, 2016. This notice corrects the minimum number of individuals and the number of associated funerary objects. 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 and associated funerary objects should submit a written request to the Indiana University NAGPRA Office. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains and associated funerary objects to the lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.
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AnalysisAI
Editorial Commentary
General Summary
This document pertains to a notice from Indiana University, authorized by the National Park Service of the Interior Department, concerning the correction of an inventory related to Native American human remains and funerary objects. Originally published in December 2016, this notice corrects the number of human remains and associated objects and invites representatives of any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not previously identified to submit claims. If new requests are not submitted by March 1, 2021, the remains and objects may be returned to the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota.
Significant Issues or Concerns
One notable issue with the document is its use of specific legal and technical language without accompanying explanations. References such as "25 U.S.C. 3003" are likely to be unfamiliar to a general audience. Additionally, the timeline for submitting claims is mentioned with a strict deadline but lacks context regarding the urgency or what might happen if the deadline passes without any new claimants.
The document also changes prior inventory listings but fails to provide a thorough explanation for these revisions. This could lead to confusion among readers or stakeholders who are not privy to the details of the initial notice. The frequent referencing of corrections related to previously published Federal Register notices could further complicate understanding for those not familiar with these documents.
Impact on the Public
For the wider public, this document highlights how institutions handle the sensitive issue of human remains, specifically those of Native American descent. The correction and eventual repatriation process show an adherence to legal guidelines designed to address historical grievances. However, due to the technical nature of the document, the public might find it challenging to grasp the full implications without further context.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For Native American Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations, this notice represents a critical opportunity to claim heritage items and ancestors' remains, which can serve as important cultural and ancestral mending processes. The improved accuracy of the inventory potentially helps in ensuring rightful ownership and control over these items. The deadline for requests might pressure stakeholders to act swiftly or risk losing this opportunity, which could be seen as both a motivating factor or a stress point.
Conversely, failure to submit requests by the designated deadline could result in these remains and objects being transferred to the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation by default. This might not positively impact other tribes with legitimate claims, pointing to the intricate balance agencies must strike between legal frameworks and cultural sensitivities.
Overall, while positively reaffirming the commitment to respecting Native American rights, the document leaves much reliance on the active involvement of the communities it aims to serve. The importance of accurate inventories cannot be overstated, as they are vital to the integrity of cultural heritage and reconciliation processes.
Issues
• The document uses technical terminology related to NAGPRA and legal references (e.g., '25 U.S.C. 3003'), which may not be easily understood by the general public without additional context or explanation.
• The timeline for submitting requests (by March 1, 2021) is mentioned without any context for the urgency or implications if this deadline is missed.
• The correction involving the minimum number of individuals and associated funerary objects may be confusing due to the differences in numbers without an explanation of why these changes were necessary.
• There is frequent reference to corrections from previous documents ('Federal Register (81 FR 87064)') which could confuse readers if they are not familiar with the prior publications.
• The potential social and cultural implications of the transfer of human remains to specific tribes are not discussed, which might be important context for understanding the document's significance.