Notice2022-17293
Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Art Theft Program, Washington, DC
Primary source
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Published
August 11, 2022
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
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.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 154 (Thursday, August 11, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 154 (Thursday, August 11, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 49611]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[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 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#94f5e6e0fdf2f5f7e0e7d4fdf7baf2f6fdbaf3fbe2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="610013150807000215122108024f0703084f060e17">[email protected]</span></a>.
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:
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> 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 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3a5b484e535c5b594e497a5359145c5853145d554c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fd9c8f89949b9c9e898ebd949ed39b9f94d39a928b">[email protected]</span></a>, 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
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