key term - NAGPRA

Definition

NAGPRA, or the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, is a federal law enacted in 1990 that establishes a process for museums and federal agencies to return certain Native American cultural items, including human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony, to their respective tribes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. NAGPRA requires museums and federal agencies to inventory and identify Native American cultural items in their collections and consult with tribes to determine ownership and appropriate disposition.
2. The law provides a process for tribes to request the repatriation of human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony from museums and federal agencies.
3. NAGPRA has been instrumental in the return of thousands of Native American cultural items and human remains to their respective tribes since its enactment.
4. The law has helped to address the long history of the unethical treatment and removal of Native American remains and cultural objects by museums, archaeologists, and the federal government.
5. Compliance with NAGPRA has required museums and federal agencies to re-evaluate their collections and engage in meaningful consultation with tribes, fostering greater understanding and collaboration.

Review Questions

• Explain the purpose and key provisions of NAGPRA.
  • The purpose of NAGPRA is to establish a process for the repatriation of Native American cultural items, including human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony, to their respective tribes. The law requires museums and federal agencies to inventory their collections, consult with tribes to determine ownership, and return these items to the tribes upon request. NAGPRA has been instrumental in addressing the long history of unethical treatment and removal of Native American remains and cultural objects, and has fostered greater understanding and collaboration between museums, federal agencies, and tribes.
• Describe the impact of NAGPRA on the relationship between museums, federal agencies, and Native American tribes.
  • NAGPRA has significantly impacted the relationship between museums, federal agencies, and Native American tribes. The law has required these institutions to engage in meaningful consultation with tribes, re-evaluate their collections, and return cultural items and human remains to their rightful owners. This process has fostered greater understanding, collaboration, and trust between the parties involved. NAGPRA has also helped to address the long history of the unethical treatment and removal of Native American remains and cultural objects, which has been an important step in the healing and reconciliation process. The implementation of NAGPRA has been a complex and ongoing process, but it has ultimately led to a more equitable and respectful relationship between museums, federal agencies, and Native American tribes.
• Analyze the long-term implications of NAGPRA on the preservation and protection of Native American cultural heritage.
  • NAGPRA has had significant long-term implications for the preservation and protection of Native American cultural heritage. By establishing a process for the repatriation of cultural items and human remains, the law has helped to restore a sense of ownership and control over these important aspects of Native American identity and history. This has not only allowed tribes to repatriate and care for their cultural items in accordance with their own traditions and beliefs, but it has also empowered them to be more actively involved in the stewardship and preservation of their cultural heritage. Additionally, the increased collaboration and consultation between museums, federal agencies, and tribes required by NAGPRA has led to a greater understanding and appreciation of the importance of Native American cultural preservation. This has resulted in more inclusive and culturally sensitive approaches to the curation, interpretation, and display of Native American cultural materials, which will have lasting impacts on the long-term protection and preservation of this invaluable heritage.

Related terms

Repatriation:

The act of returning cultural items or human remains to their rightful Native American tribes or lineal descendants.

Cultural Patrimony: An object having ongoing historical, traditional, or cultural importance central to a Native American group or culture, rather than property owned by an individual.

Lineal Descendant: An individual who can trace their ancestry directly and without interruption to the remains of a specific Native American individual.