Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Art Theft Program, Washington, DC, 49608 [2022-17290]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• National Park Service

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 154 (Thursday, August 11, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 49608]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-17290]



[[Page 49608]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0034329; 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 September 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, 411 cultural items were acquired in South 
Dakota and transported to Indiana, where they remained part of a 
private collection. In the spring of 2014, these cultural items were 
seized by the FBI as part of a criminal investigation.
    Following consultation with the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the 
Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Montana; Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of 
the Cheyenne River Reservation, South Dakota; Crow Creek Sioux Tribe of 
the Crow Creek Reservation, South Dakota; Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe 
of South Dakota; Oglala Sioux Tribe (previously listed as Oglala Sioux 
Tribe of the Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota); Rosebud Sioux Tribe 
of the Rosebud Indian Reservation, South Dakota; Sisseton-Wahpeton 
Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation, South Dakota; Spirit Lake 
Tribe, North Dakota; Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North & South Dakota; 
Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, North Dakota; 
and the Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota (hereafter referred to as 
``The Tribes), these cultural items were determined to be culturally 
affiliated with The Tribes and were identified as sacred objects. 
During a series of consultation meetings, The Tribes reached consensus 
that the Oglala Sioux Tribe (previously listed as Oglala Sioux Tribe of 
the Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota) would request the 
repatriation of these sacred items on behalf of The Tribes, all of whom 
consider South Dakota to be their ancestral homeland.

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 411 cultural items 
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 
objects and The Tribes.

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 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 
September 12, 2022. After that date, if no additional claimants have 
come forward, transfer of control of the sacred objects to The Tribes 
may proceed.
    The Federal Bureau of Investigation is responsible for notifying 
The Tribes that this notice has been published.

    Dated: August 3, 2022.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2022-17290 Filed 8-10-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P