[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 76 (Thursday, April 22, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 21344]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-08396]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0031805; 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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in consultation 
with the appropriate Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, 
has determined that the cultural item listed in this notice meets the 
definition of a sacred object. Lineal descendants or representatives of 
any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this 
notice that wish to claim this cultural item should submit a written 
request to the FBI. If no additional claimants come forward, transfer 
of control of the cultural item 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 this cultural item should submit a written request with 
information in support of the claim to the FBI at the address in this 
notice by May 24, 2021.

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 a cultural item under the 
control of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington, DC, that 
meets the definition of a sacred object under 25 U.S.C. 3001.
    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 item. The National Park Service is not responsible 
for the determinations in this notice.

History and Description of the Cultural Items

    At an unknown date, one sacred object was acquired and transported 
to the East Coast, where it remained part of a private collection of 
Native American antiquities, art, and cultural heritage. In the spring 
of 2018, this item was seized by the FBI as part of a criminal 
investigation. The one item is a gahan mask culturally affiliated with 
the Mescalero Apache Tribe of the Mescalero Reservation, New Mexico, 
based on consultation with an official representative of the Tribe. 
Initial expertise concerning this item was also provided by staff at 
museums and universities in the Southwest region.

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 one cultural item 
described above is a specific ceremonial object 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 Mescalero Apache Tribe of the Mescalero Reservation, New 
Mexico.

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 
this cultural item 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 May 24, 2021. 
After that date, if no additional claimants have come forward, transfer 
of control of the sacred object to the Mescalero Apache Tribe of the 
Mescalero Reservation, New Mexico may proceed.
    The Federal Bureau of Investigation is responsible for notifying 
the Mescalero Apache Tribe of the Mescalero Reservation, New Mexico 
that this notice has been published.

    Dated: April 16, 2021.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2021-08396 Filed 4-21-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P