[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 157 (Tuesday, August 14, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 48533]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-19924]



[[Page 48533]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-10901; 2200-1100-665]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: U.S. Department of 
the Interior, National Park Service, Little Bighorn Battlefield 
National Monument, Crow Agency, MT

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, in 
consultation with the appropriate Indian tribes, has determined that 
the cultural items meet the definition of sacred objects and 
repatriation to the lineal descendant stated below may occur if no 
additional claimants come forward. Any other individuals who believe 
they are lineal descendants of the individual who owned these sacred 
objects and who wish to claim the items should contact Little Bighorn 
Battlefield National Monument.

DATES: Any other individuals who believe they are lineal descendants of 
the individual who owned these sacred objects and who wish to claim the 
items should contact Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument at 
the address below by September 13, 2012.

ADDRESSES: David Harrington, Acting Superintendent, Little Bighorn 
Battlefield National Monument, P.O. Box 39, Crow Agency, MT 59022-0039, 
telephone (406) 638-3201.

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 in the 
possession of the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park 
Service, Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Crow Agency, MT, 
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 
Superintendent, Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument.

History and Description of the Cultural Items

    The seven cultural items are five Sundance Ledgers and two 
notebooks that were created by Alex Brady, a noted Sundance Priest and 
leading headman in the Northern Cheyenne Crazy Dog Society. Alex Brady, 
who was involved in many ceremonies, recorded information essential to 
the Northern Cheyenne sacred traditional ceremonies, as well as his 
personal and familial ceremonial activities, in these ledgers and 
notebooks. In 1996, the ledgers and notebooks were purchased by the 
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. Steven Brady, Sr., 
grandson of Alex Brady, is requesting repatriation of the seven 
cultural items described above. The seven items are specific ceremonial 
materials needed by Mr. Brady to continue the practice of traditional 
ceremonies. Corroborating information provided by the Northern Cheyenne 
Cultural Commission and Tribal Historic Preservation Office of the 
Northern Cheyenne Tribe of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, 
Montana shows that Steven Brady, Sr., is the most appropriate recipient 
of these sacred objects under the Northern Cheyenne traditional kinship 
system and the common law system of descendance.

Determinations Made by Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument

    Officials of Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument have 
determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), the seven 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.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3005(a)(5)(A), Mr. Steven Brady, 
Sr., is the direct lineal descendant of the individual who owned these 
sacred objects.

Additional Requestors and Disposition

    Any other individuals who believe they are lineal descendants of 
the individual who owned these sacred objects and who wish to claim the 
items should contact David Harrington, Acting Superintendent, Little 
Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, P.O. Box 39, Crow Agency, MT, 
59022-0039, telephone (406) 638-3201, before September 13, 2012. 
Repatriation of the sacred objects to Mr. Steven Brady, Sr., may 
proceed after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
    Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument is responsible for 
notifying Mr. Steven Brady, Sr.; the Arapahoe Tribe of the Wind River 
Reservation, Wyoming; Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck 
Indian Reservation, Montana; Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, Oklahoma 
(formerly the Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma); Cheyenne River 
Sioux Tribe of the Cheyenne River Reservation, South Dakota; Crow Creek 
Sioux Tribe of the Crow Creek Reservation, South Dakota; Crow Tribe of 
Montana; Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe of South Dakota; Lower Brule 
Sioux Tribe of the Lower Brule Reservation, South Dakota; Northern 
Cheyenne Tribe of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, Montana; 
Oglala Sioux Tribe of the Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota; Rosebud 
Sioux Tribe of the Rosebud Indian Reservation, South Dakota; Santee 
Sioux Nation, Nebraska; Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse 
Reservation, South Dakota; Spirit Lake Tribe, North Dakota; Standing 
Rock Sioux Tribe of North & South Dakota; Three Affiliated Tribes of 
the Fort Berthold Reservation, North Dakota; and the Yankton Sioux 
Tribe of South Dakota that this notice has been published.

    Dated: July 20, 2012.
Melanie O'Brien,
Acting Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2012-19924 Filed 8-13-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-50-P