[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 217 (Thursday, November 10, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67957-67958]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-24559]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0034855; 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 December 12, 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 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.
    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, four cultural items were removed from the Four 
Corners region of the southwestern United States transported to 
Indiana, where they remained part of a private collection. In April of 
2014, these cultural items were seized by the FBI as part of a criminal 
investigation.
    Through consultation with representatives of the Southern Ute 
Indian Tribe of the Southern Ute Reservation, Colorado, the cultural 
affiliation of these four items with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe of 
the Southern Ute Reservation, Colorado was determined and the 
identification of the items as sacred objects was established. The 
Southern Ute Indian Tribe's ``original territory'' and ancestral 
homelands extended throughout the Four Corners region. According to Ute 
oral traditional knowledge, ``the Utes were created by Sinawav (the 
Creator) and were placed in the mountains. The Sinawav told the people 
they would be few in number but, they would be strong warriors, and 
protectors of their lands. There is no migration story, we were placed 
here in the mountains, we have always been here, we will always be 
here.''

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 four cultural items 
described above are specific sacred/ceremonial objects needed by 
traditional Native American religious leaders for the practice of

[[Page 67958]]

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 
objects and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe of the Southern Ute 
Reservation, Colorado.

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 (SSA) Randolph J. Deaton 
IV, Art Theft Program, 935 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 
20535, telephone (202) 324-5525, email [email protected], by 
December 12, 2022. After that date, if no additional claimants have 
come forward, transfer of control of the sacred objects to the Southern 
Ute Indian Tribe of the Southern Ute Reservation, Colorado may proceed.
    The Federal Bureau of Investigation is responsible for notifying 
the Southern Ute Indian Tribe of the Southern Ute Reservation, Colorado 
that this notice has been published.

    Dated: November 2, 2022.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2022-24559 Filed 11-9-22; 8:45 am]
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