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 seeking nominations for one member of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Review Committee (Review Committee). The Secretary of the Interior will appoint the member from nominations submitted by Indian tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and traditional Native American religious leaders. The nominee must be a traditional Indian religious leader.

DATES:

Nominations must be received by September 26, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

Melanie O'Brien, Designated Federal Officer, Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Review Committee, National NAGPRA Program (2253), National Park Service, 1849 C Street NW., Washington, DC 20240, or via email nagpra_dfo@nps.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Review Committee was established by the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990 (NAGPRA), at 25 U.S.C. 3006, and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. Appendix 2.

The Review Committee is responsible for:

1. Monitoring the NAGPRA inventory and identification process;

2. Reviewing and making findings related to the identity or cultural affiliation of cultural items, or the return of such items;

3. Facilitating the resolution of disputes;

4. Compiling an inventory of culturally unidentifiable human remains and developing a process for disposition of such remains;

5. Consulting with Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations and museums on matters within the scope of the work of the Review Committee affecting such tribes or organizations;

6. Consulting with the Secretary of the Interior in the development of regulations to carry out NAGPRA; and

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

The Review Committee consists of seven members appointed by the Secretary of the Interior. The Secretary may not appoint Federal officers or employees to the Review 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 or scientific organizations. One member is appointed from a list of persons developed and consented to by all of the other members.

Members serve as Special Government Employees, which requires completion of annual ethics training. Members are appointed for 4-year terms and incumbent members may be reappointed for 2-year terms. The Review Committee's work takes place during public meetings. The Review Committee normally meets in person two times per year, normally for two or three days. The Review Committee may also hold one or more public teleconferences of several hours duration.

Review Committee members serve without pay but shall be reimbursed for each day the member participates in Review Committee meetings. Review Committee members are reimbursed for travel expenses incurred in association with Review Committee meetings (25 U.S.C. 3006(b)(4)). Additional information regarding the Review Committee, including the Review Committee's charter, meeting protocol, and dispute resolution procedures, is available on the National NAGPRA Program Web site, at https://www.nps.gov/NAGPRA/REVIEW/.

Individuals who are federally registered lobbyists are ineligible to serve on all FACA and non-FACA boards, committees, or councils in an individual capacity. The term “individual capacity” refers to individuals who are appointed to exercise their own individual best judgment on behalf of the government, such as when they are designated Special Government Employees, rather than being appointed to represent a particular interest.

Nominations should:

1. Be submitted on the official letterhead of the Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization.

2. Affirm that the signatory is the official authorized by the Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization to submit the nomination.

3. If applicable, explain that the signatory is a traditional Native American religious leader.

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

5. Include the nominee's resume or a brief biography of the nominee, in which the nominee's NAGPRA experience and ability to work as a member of a Federal advisory committee are addressed.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Melanie O'Brien, Designated Federal Officer, Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Review Committee, National NAGPRA Program (2253), National Park Service, 1849 C Street NW., Washington, DC 20240, or via email nagpra_dfo@nps.gov.