87 FR 154 pg. 49607 - Notice of Inventory Completion: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Art Theft Program, Washington, DC
Type: NOTICEVolume: 87Number: 154Page: 49607
Page: 49607Docket number: [NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0034330; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2022-17291 Filed 8-10-22; 8:45 am]
Agency: Interior Department
Sub Agency: National Park Service
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0034330; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Inventory Completion: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Art Theft Program, Washington, DC
AGENCY:
National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION:
Notice.
SUMMARY:
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has completed an inventory of human remains in consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and any present-day Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to request transfer of control of these human remains should submit a written request to the FBI. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains to the 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 request transfer of control of these human remains should submit a written request with information in support of the request 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 (954) 931-3670, email artifacts@ic.fbi.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Notice is here given in accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3003, of the completion of an inventory of human remains under the control of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington, DC. The human remains were removed from various locations throughout New Mexico and Arizona.
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 human remains. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.
Consultation
A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by FBI professional staff in consultation with representatives of the Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma; Gila River Indian Community of the Gila River Indian Reservation, Arizona; Hopi Tribe of Arizona; Mescalero Apache Tribe of the Mescalero Reservation, New Mexico; Pueblo of Acoma, New Mexico; Pueblo of Jemez, New Mexico; Pueblo of Laguna, New Mexico; Pueblo of Picuris, New Mexico; and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community of the Salt River Reservation, Arizona (hereafter referred to as "The Tribes").
History and Description of the Remains
At various unknown dates, human remains representing, at minimum, 24 individuals were removed from undisclosed locations throughout New Mexico and Arizona. The human remains were transported to Indiana, where they remained as part of a private collection of Native American antiquities and cultural heritage. In April of 2014, the human remains were seized by the FBI as part of a criminal investigation. Although these human remains were heavily co-mingled at the time of recovery, a preponderance of the evidence shows that these human remains are Native American and were removed from the Southwest region of New Mexico and Arizona. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects were present.
The composition of the soil matrix present on the human remains, in addition to other evidence obtained through non-invasive/non-destructive skeletal analysis, indicates that the remains of these individuals were taken from various undisclosed locations in the American Southwest, specifically New Mexico and Arizona. Based on biological, archeological, geographical, and anthropological information and expert opinion, these individuals are affiliated with the present-day Native American people of the American Southwest.
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(9), the human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of 24 individuals of Native American/Southwest ancestry.
• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the Native American human remains 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 request transfer of control of these human remains should submit a written request with information in support of the request 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 (954) 931-3670, email artifacts@ic.fbi.gov, by September 12, 2022. After that date, if no additional requestors have come forward, transfer of control of the human remains 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. 2022-17291 Filed 8-10-22; 8:45 am]
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