2024-10930. Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Review Committee: Notice of Nomination Solicitation

AGENCY:

National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Request for nominations.

SUMMARY:

The National Park Service is soliciting nominations for the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Review Committee (Committee). The Committee has an upcoming vacancy for a traditional Indian religious leader and two vacancies for members nominated by national museum organizations or national scientific organizations. The Secretary of the Interior will appoint members from nominations submitted by Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, traditional Native American religious leaders, national museum organizations, or national scientific organizations.

DATES:

Nominations must be received by July 19, 2024.

ADDRESSES:

Please address nominations to Melanie O'Brien, Designated Federal Officer, National Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Review Committee, via email [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Melanie O'Brien, via telephone at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Committee was established by the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990 (NAGPRA) and is regulated by the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

The Committee is responsible for:

1. Monitoring the inventory and identification process.

2. Upon request, considering findings of fact or disputes related to the inventory, summary, or repatriation process.

3. Compiling an inventory of culturally unidentifiable human remains and recommending specific actions for such remains.

4. Consulting with Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations and museums on matters within the scope of the work of the Committee.

5. Consulting with the Secretary of the Interior in the development of regulations.

6. Making recommendations regarding future care of repatriated cultural items.

The Committee consists of seven members appointed by the Secretary of the Interior. The Secretary may not appoint Federal officers or employees to the Committee. Three members are appointed from nominations submitted by Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and traditional Native American religious leaders. At least two of these members must be traditional Indian religious leaders. Three members are appointed from nominations submitted by national museum organizations or national scientific organizations. An organization that is created by, is a part of, and is governed in any way by a parent national museum or scientific organization must submit a nomination through the parent organization. One member is appointed from a list of persons developed and consented to by all of the other members.

Members are appointed for four-year terms and incumbent members may be reappointed for two-year terms. The Committee's work is completed during public meetings. The Committee attempts to meet several times a year. In person meetings normally last two or three days while virtual meetings last three to four hours.

Members will be appointed as special Government employees (SGEs). Please be aware that members selected to serve as SGEs will be required, prior to appointment, to file a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report in order to avoid involvement in real or apparent conflicts of interest. You may find a copy of the Confidential Financial Disclosure Report and more information about ethics requirements for SGEs at the following website: https://www.doi.gov/​ethics/​special-government-employees. Additionally, after appointment, members appointed as SGEs will be required to meet applicable financial disclosure and ethics training requirements annually. Please contact 202-208-7960 or [e-mail] with any questions about the ethics requirements for members appointed as SGEs.

Committee members serve without pay but are reimbursed for each day of committee business. Committee members are also reimbursed for travel expenses incurred in association with Committee meetings (25 U.S.C. 3006(b)(4)). Additional information regarding the Committee, including the Committee's charter, meeting procedures, and past practice, is available on the National NAGPRA Program website, at https://www.nps.gov/​nagpra/​review-committee.htm.

Nominations must:

1. Be submitted on the official letterhead of the Indian Tribe, Native Hawaiian organization, national museum organization, or national scientific organization.

2. Affirm that the signatory is the official authorized by the Indian Tribe, Native Hawaiian organization, national museum organization, or national scientific organization to submit the nomination.

3. If submitted by a Native American traditional religious leader, affirm that the signatory meets the definition of traditional Native American religious leader (see 43 CFR 10.2 “Traditional religious leader”).

4. Provide the nominator's original signature, daytime telephone number, and email address.

5. Include the nominee's full legal name, home address, home telephone number, and email address.

6. If the nominee is a traditional Indian religious leader, affirm that the nominee meets the description of a traditional Indian religious leader (see 43 CFR 10.12(b)(1)).

7. If submitted by a national museum organization or national scientific organization, affirm that the organization meets the description of a national organization (see 43 CFR 10.12(b)(2)).

Nominations should include a resume providing an adequate description of the nominee's qualifications, including information that would enable the Department of the Interior to make an informed decision regarding meeting the membership requirements of the Committee and permit the Department of the Interior to contact a potential member.

Public Disclosure of Information: Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information with your nomination, you should be aware that your entire nomination—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your nomination to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Authority:5 U.S.C. ch. 10; 25 U.S.C. 3006; 43 CFR 10.12.

Alma Ripps,

Chief, Office of Policy.