4312-52
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0034496; 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.
SUMMARY: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in consultation with the appropriate
Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, has determined that the cultural item listed in
this notice meets the definition of a sacred object. 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 to the FBI. If no additional claimants come forward,
transfer of control of the cultural item 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
[INSERT DATE 30 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL
REGISTER].
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 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. 3005, of the intent to
repatriate a cultural item under the control of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington,
DC, that meets the definition of a sacred object 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 Item
At an unknown date, one cultural item was acquired and transported to the east coast of
the United States, where it became part of a private collection of Native American antiquities, art,
and cultural heritage. In the spring of 2018, this item was seized by the FBI as part of a criminal
investigation. Following multiple consultations with representatives of the Three Affiliated Tribes
of the Fort Berthold Reservation, North Dakota, this item, a “bear mask,” was determined to be
culturally affiliated with the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, North
Dakota and identified as a sacred object.
Determinations Made by the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Officials of the Federal Bureau of Investigation have determined that:
ï‚·

Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), the one cultural item is a specific ceremonial object
needed by traditional Native American religious leaders for the practice of traditional
Native American religions by their present-day adherents.

ï‚·

Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of shared group identity that can be
reasonably traced between the sacred object 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 this cultural item should submit a
written request with information in support of the claim 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 (202) 324-5525,
email artifacts@ic.fbi.gov, by [INSERT DATE 30 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN

THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. 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: September 1, 2022.

Melanie O’Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2022-19828 Filed: 9/13/2022 8:45 am; Publication Date: 9/14/2022]