Overview
Title
Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, Basom, NY
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has found out that some old bones and things from the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge belong to the Tonawanda Band of Seneca people, and they plan to give them back. This returning of items can start after February 18, 2025, and people who are related can ask for them.
Summary AI
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge in New York has completed an inventory under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and found a cultural connection between two sets of human remains and accompanying artifacts and the Tonawanda Band of Seneca. These items, collected from areas around the refuge, include objects like a pipe stem and ceramic fragment. Repatriation—to return these items to the appropriate Native American group—can happen after February 18, 2025. Anyone with a cultural connection or who can prove descent may request repatriation.
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Northeast Region, Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) has completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary objects and Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document from the Federal Register concerns the completion of an inventory at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge in Basom, New York, under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). Officials have found that there is a cultural connection between human remains and associated funerary objects and the Tonawanda Band of Seneca, a Native American tribe. This development allows for the repatriation of these items, which is the process of returning them to the appropriate Native American group.
General Summary
This notice outlines the completion of an inventory under NAGPRA by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The inventory includes human remains and associated funerary objects such as a pipe stem, ceramic fragment, and other artifacts. These were donated by the Owens Family and likely collected from the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge area between 1962 and 2000. The cultural affiliation has been reasonably connected to the Tonawanda Band of Seneca. The document sets a date for possible repatriation, allowing those with a cultural connection or proven descent to request the return of these items starting February 18, 2025.
Significant Issues or Concerns
A significant issue addressed by this notice is the implementation of NAGPRA, which provides a legal framework for the return of indigenous remains and cultural items. There may be concerns regarding the accuracy and completeness of the historical records and the identification of the correct descendant groups. Additionally, the ethical dimension of handling and storing human remains and cultural artifacts before their return could be a contentious subject.
Broader Public Impact
For the broader public, this document highlights the federal government's role in addressing historical injustices against Native American tribes. It demonstrates a step towards acknowledging and respecting indigenous cultures by legally returning cultural items and human remains. This process may foster greater awareness and appreciation of Native American history and heritage among the larger population.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For Native American tribes, particularly the Tonawanda Band of Seneca, this notice represents a significant cultural and emotional event. The return of ancestral remains and artifacts is a step towards healing and reclaiming their heritage. It may positively impact the community's sense of identity and continuity with their past.
Museums, historians, and archaeologists might face challenges as they reconsider the management and ownership of Native American artifacts in their collections. It may also lead to an increased administrative burden for the agencies involved in the repatriation process.
In conclusion, this Federal Register notice serves as an important milestone in upholding the rights of Native American tribes. It sets a precedent for future actions under NAGPRA, emphasizing the importance of legal and ethical considerations in the treatment of indigenous cultural heritage.