Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Art Theft Program, Washington, DC, 49611 [2022-17293]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• National Park Service

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 154 (Thursday, August 11, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 49611]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-17293]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0034333; 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, three cultural items were acquired and 
transported to the east coast, where they remained part of a private 
collection of Native American antiquities, art, and cultural heritage. 
In the spring of 2018, these cultural items were seized by the FBI as 
part of a criminal investigation. The three cultural items seized in 
2018 were identified by the collector as ``masks.'' Following 
consultation, these cultural items were determined to be culturally 
affiliated with the Hopi Tribe of Arizona and were identified as sacred 
objects.
    The Hopi Tribe of Arizona resides in northeastern Arizona. Its 
reservation occupies portions of Coconino and Navajo Counties, 
encompasses more than 1.5 million acres, and contains 12 villages on 
First Mesa, Second Mesa, and Third Mesa. The Hopi Sinom and their 
ancestors, the Hisat Sinom, have ancient ties to their Hopi Tutskwa 
(Aboriginal Hopi Lands), which they have occupied continuously for over 
2,000 years. According to Hopi oral tradition, since time immemorial, 
the Hopi people have lived in Hopi Tutskwa, maintaining their cultural 
traditions and their ``sacred covenant with Maasaw, the ancient 
caretaker of the earth, to live as peaceful and humble farmers 
respectful of the land and its resources.'' This oral traditional 
information is supported by the archeological record, which places the 
Hopi in this region for thousands of years. Old Orabi (Third Mesa), for 
example, is the oldest settlement with standing ruins. It is identified 
as ``one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements on the North 
American Continent dating back to A.D. 1100.''

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 three 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(2), there is a relationship of 
shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the sacred 
objects and the Hopi Tribe of Arizona.

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

    Dated: August 3, 2022.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2022-17293 Filed 8-10-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P