FR 2025-01183

In a recent notice published in the Federal Register, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands announced its intention to return human remains and associated funerary items to Native American tribes in accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). These remains and items were initially excavated from a site in New Mexico, and the notice identifies the Pueblo of Isleta and Ysleta del Sur Pueblo as having priority in this repatriation process.

Summary of the Document

The notice outlines a plan to transfer human remains and cultural artifacts back to tribes that historically inhabited the region from which they were removed. The specified remains and items originate from site AR 03-03-04-00013/LA 2091, also known as Pueblo de la Mesa, near Corona, NM. The document sets a timeline for this repatriation process: the intended disposition could begin as early as February 18, 2025, and remain open for claims until January 20, 2026. If no claims are made by this later date, the remains and objects would be classified as unclaimed.

Significant Issues or Concerns

The document, while clear in its intent, raises several issues:

• Complex Language: The notice makes extensive use of bureaucratic and legalistic terminology, common in official federal documents, which can be challenging for those not familiar with NAGPRA or legal writing.

• Lack of Detailed Procedures: While the deadline for claims is clearly stated, the process for resolving competing claims is not thoroughly explained, which could benefit from greater transparency.

• Access to Additional Information: The notice refers to consultation results and related records but does not provide details on how interested parties can access this information. This could leave some stakeholders without a clear understanding of the background or reasoning behind certain decisions.

Impact on the Public

Broadly, this document impacts the public by emphasizing the federal government's commitment to returning culturally significant items to their rightful owners. This notice is part of a broader effort to acknowledge past injustices and foster stronger relationships with Native American communities.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For the identified tribes, the Pueblo of Isleta and Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, this notice is profoundly significant. It represents an opportunity to reclaim important aspects of their cultural heritage, which can have positive implications for community identity and historical continuity.

For other tribes and organizations that may have a potential claim, the notice indicates an opening for dialogue but might also create uncertainty if overlapping claims arise without a clear mechanism for conflict resolution outlined in the document.

In conclusion, while this Federal Register notice advances an important aspect of cultural repatriation, its effectiveness could be enhanced with clearer language, detailed instructions on accessing additional information, and more transparency in the procedures for handling competing claims.