[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 126 (Tuesday, July 6, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 35526]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-14308]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0032215; 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 meets 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 this cultural item should submit a written request with 
information in support of the claim to the FBI at the address in this 
notice by August 5, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI 
Headquarters, Attn: Supervisory Special Agent Timothy Carpenter, Art 
Theft Program, 935 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20535, 
telephone (954) 931-3670, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#85e4f7f1ece3e4e6f1f6c5ece6abe3e7ecabe2eaf3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="49283b3d202f282a3d3a09202a672f2b20672e263f">[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, 12 sacred objects were acquired and transported 
to Indiana, where they became part of a private collection of Native 
American antiquities, art, and cultural heritage. In the spring of 
2014, these items were seized by the FBI as part of a criminal 
investigation. The 12 items are identified as catlinite pipes from the 
Swan Creek archeological site (39WW7), a known ancestral Arikara and 
Mandan village located on the Missouri River, in Walworth County, South 
Dakota. Based on information obtained during consultation with an 
official representative of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort 
Berthold Reservation, North Dakota, and on archeological information 
contained in reports for the Swan Creek site, the FBI has determined 
that the pipes are culturally affiliated with that Indian Tribe.

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 12 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.
    <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 Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold 
Reservation, North Dakota.

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 Timothy Carpenter, Art 
Theft Program, 935 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20535, 
telephone (954) 931-3670, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2d4c5f59444b4c4e595e6d444e034b4f44034a425b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2a4b585e434c4b495e596a4349044c4843044d455c">[email protected]</span></a>, by August 5, 
2021. After that date, if no additional claimants have come forward, 
transfer of control of the sacred object to the Three Affiliated Tribes 
of the Fort Berthold Reservation, North Dakota may proceed.
    The Federal Bureau of Investigation is responsible for notifying 
the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, North 
Dakota that this notice has been published.

    Dated: June 28, 2021.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2021-14308 Filed 7-2-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P


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