[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 7, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 13622]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-5584]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[2253-665]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, Lakewood, CO

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, 
in consultation with the appropriate Indian tribe, has determined that 
the cultural items listed below meet the definition of sacred objects 
and repatriation to the Indian tribe stated below may occur if no 
additional claimants come forward. Representatives of any Indian tribe 
that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with the cultural 
items may contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law 
Enforcement.

DATES: Representatives of any Indian tribe that believes it has a 
cultural affiliation with the cultural items should contact the U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, at the address 
below by April 6, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
Office of Law Enforcement, 134 Union Blvd., Room 550, Lakewood, CO 
80228, telephone (303) 236-7540.

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 two cultural items in the 
possession of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law 
Enforcement, 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 U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement. The National Park 
Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.

History and Description of the Cultural Items

    These items came into the possession and control of the U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Office of Law Enforcement, pursuant to a 
criminal investigation. The items were forfeited to the U.S. Government 
by the U.S. Customs Service in separate forfeiture actions in January, 
February and March 2001, and the Federal criminal investigations are 
now complete.
    USFWS contracted with expert consultants to review the collection 
and consulted with 11 tribes having interest or affiliation in the 
objects. Three tribes filed claims requesting repatriation of objects 
from the collection. Upon review, the USFWS determined that two sacred 
objects (Item 6: Crow lumpwood dance wand and Item 46: spithorn 
headdress) are subject to repatriation to the Crow Tribe of Montana.

Determinations Made by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of 
Law Enforcement

    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the USFWS 
have determined that:
    <bullet> Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), two of the 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 two 
cultural objects and the Crow Tribe of Montana.

Additional Requestors and Disposition

    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with these sacred objects should contact the 
Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law 
Enforcement, 134 Union Blvd., Room 550, Lakewood, CO 80228; telephone 
(303) 236-7540, April 6, 2012. Repatriation of the sacred objects the 
Crow Tribe of Montana may proceed after that date if no additional 
claimants come forward.
    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, 
Lakewood, CO, is responsible for notifying the Crow Tribe of Montana 
that this notice has been published.

    Dated: March 2, 2012.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2012-5584 Filed 3-6-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-50-P