[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 2 (Friday, January 3, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 337-338]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-28380]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0029316; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Federal Bureau of 
Investigation, Art Theft Program, Washington, DC

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in consultation 
with the appropriate Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, 
has determined that the cultural items listed in this notice meet the 
definition of sacred objects. Lineal descendants or representatives of 
any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this 
notice that wish to claim these cultural items should submit a written 
request to the FBI. If no additional claimants come forward, transfer 
of control of the cultural items 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 
claim these cultural items should submit a written request with 
information in support of the claim to the FBI at the address in this 
notice by February 3, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI Headquarters, Attn: 
Supervisory Special Agent Timothy Carpenter, Art Theft Program, 935 
Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20535, telephone (954) 931-3670, 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is here given in accordance with the 
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 
U.S.C. 3005, of the intent to repatriate cultural items under the 
control of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington, DC, that 
meet the definition of sacred objects under 25 U.S.C. 3001.

[[Page 338]]

    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 cultural items. The National Park Service is not responsible 
for the determinations in this notice.

History and Description of the Cultural Items

    At an unknown date, 31 sacred objects were acquired and transported 
to the East Coast, where they remained part of a private collection of 
Native American antiquities, art, and cultural heritage. In the spring 
of 2018, these items were seized by the FBI as part of a criminal 
investigation. The 31 items are ceremonial objects that had been 
misidentified by the collector as ``masks.''
    Through multiple consultations with representatives of the Hopi 
Tribe of Arizona and the expertise of regional archeologists, these 
items are culturally affiliated with the Hopi Tribe of Arizona.

Determinations Made by the Federal Bureau of Investigation

    Officials of the Federal Bureau of Investigation have determined 
that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), the 31 cultural items 
described above are specific ceremonial objects needed by traditional 
Native American religious leaders for the practice of traditional 
Native American religions by their present-day adherents.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of 
shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the sacred 
object and the Hopi Tribe of Arizona.

Additional Requestors and Disposition

    Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or Native 
Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to claim 
these cultural items should submit a written request with information 
in support of the claim to Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI 
Headquarters, Attn: Supervisory Special Agent Timothy Carpenter, Art 
Theft Program, 935 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20535, 
telephone (954) 931-3670, email [email protected], by February 3, 
2020. After that date, if no additional claimants have come forward, 
transfer of control of the sacred objects to the Hopi Tribe of Arizona 
may proceed.
    The Federal Bureau of Investigation is responsible for notifying 
the Hopi Tribe of Arizona that this notice has been published.

    Dated: November 14, 2019.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2019-28380 Filed 1-2-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-52-P