[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 42 (Thursday, March 3, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12203-12204]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-04447]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0033465; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Boston University, 
Boston, MA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Boston University, in consultation with the appropriate Indian 
Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, has determined that the 
cultural items listed in this notice meet both the definition of sacred 
objects and the definition of objects of cultural patrimony. 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 Boston University. 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 Boston University at the address 
in this notice by April 4, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathryn M. Mellouk, Associate Vice 
President for Research Compliance, Boston University, One Silber Way, 
9th floor, Boston, MA 02215, telephone (617) 358-4730, 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 Boston University, Boston, MA, that meet both the definition 
of sacred objects and the definition of objects of cultural patrimony 
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 items. The National Park Service is not responsible 
for the determinations in this notice.

History and Description of the Cultural Items

    Sometime prior to November 3, 1936, two cultural items were removed 
from an unknown location in Montana. These items (inventory numbers 
1591 and 1592) were collected or acquired by Charles Herbert Mitchell 
(1857-1936). In 1936, Mr. Mitchell's family donated a portion of his 
collection, including these items, to Boston University. The two sacred 
objects/objects of cultural patrimony are two pipestone vessels.
    Based on information provided by the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes 
of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Montana during consultation and in 
the Tribe's repatriation request, the institution has determined that 
the pipestone vessels are culturally affiliated with the Assiniboine 
and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Montana, and that 
they meet both the definition of sacred objects and the definition of 
objects of cultural patrimony.

Determinations Made by Boston University

    Officials of Boston University have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), the two 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(3)(D), the two cultural items 
described above have ongoing historical, traditional, or cultural 
importance central to the Native American group or culture itself, 
rather than property owned by an individual.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of 
shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the sacred 
objects and objects of cultural patrimony and the Assiniboine and Sioux 
Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Montana.

[[Page 12204]]

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 Kathryn M. Mellouk, Associate Vice President 
for Research Compliance, Boston University, One Silber Way, 9th floor, 
Boston, MA 02215, telephone (617) 358-4730, email [email protected], by 
April 4, 2022. After that date, if no additional claimants have come 
forward, transfer of control of the sacred objects and objects of 
cultural patrimony to the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck 
Indian Reservation, Montana may proceed.
    Boston University is responsible for notifying the Assiniboine and 
Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Montana that this 
notice has been published.

    Dated: February 23, 2022.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2022-04447 Filed 3-2-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P