[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 177 (Wednesday, September 14, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56438-56439]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-19828]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0034496; 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 October 14, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI 
Headquarters, Attn: Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) Randolph J. Deaton 
IV, Art Theft Program, 935 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 
20535, telephone (202) 324-5525, 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 items. The National Park Service is not responsible 
for the determinations in this notice.

History and Description of the Cultural Item

    At an unknown date, one cultural item was acquired and transported 
to the east coast of the United States, where it became 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. Following multiple consultations with 
representatives of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold 
Reservation, North Dakota, this item, a ``bear mask,'' was determined 
to be culturally affiliated with the Three Affiliated Tribes of the 
Fort Berthold Reservation, North Dakota and identified as a sacred 
object.

[[Page 56439]]

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 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 Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold 
Reservation, North Dakota.

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 the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI 
Headquarters, Attn: Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) Randolph J. Deaton 
IV, Art Theft Program, 935 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 
20535, telephone (202) 324-5525, email [email protected], by October 
14, 2022. After that date, if no additional claimants have come 
forward, transfer of control of the sacred object to the Three 
Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, North Dakota may 
proceed.
    The Federal Bureau of Investigation is responsible for notifying 
the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, North 
Dakota that this notice has been published.

    Dated: September 1, 2022.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2022-19828 Filed 9-13-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P