NAGPRA

Definition

NAGPRA, or the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, is a U.S. federal law enacted in 1990 that mandates the return of Native American cultural items, including human remains, funerary objects, and sacred artifacts, to their respective tribes. The act reflects a growing recognition of Indigenous rights and perspectives in the fields of archaeology and museum studies, promoting ethical considerations around curation and cultural heritage management.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. NAGPRA applies to federal agencies and institutions that receive federal funding, requiring them to inventory Native American cultural items in their collections.
2. The act emphasizes the importance of tribal consultation in decisions about repatriation, acknowledging tribes as the rightful owners of their cultural heritage.
3. NAGPRA has led to the return of thousands of Native American remains and artifacts, fostering relationships between museums and Indigenous communities.
4. Enforcement of NAGPRA can be challenging, with some institutions resisting compliance or engaging in lengthy legal battles over repatriation claims.
5. NAGPRA has inspired similar legislation in other countries, highlighting a global movement towards recognizing Indigenous rights and addressing historical injustices.

Review Questions

• How does NAGPRA influence the relationship between Indigenous communities and museums in the context of cultural heritage?
  • NAGPRA influences the relationship between Indigenous communities and museums by requiring institutions to engage in consultation with tribes regarding the repatriation of cultural items. This process acknowledges the rights of Native Americans to their ancestral remains and artifacts, fostering a collaborative environment where museums must consider Indigenous perspectives. As a result, NAGPRA promotes a more ethical approach to curation and enhances trust between museums and Indigenous communities.
• Evaluate the ethical implications of NAGPRA in terms of museum practices and the curation of Indigenous artifacts.
  • The ethical implications of NAGPRA are significant for museum practices as it compels curators to reassess their collections through an Indigenous lens. Museums must not only adhere to legal requirements but also embrace moral responsibilities to honor Indigenous cultures. This includes actively working with tribes to ensure culturally sensitive treatment of artifacts, which can challenge traditional museum narratives and promote more equitable representation of Indigenous histories.
• Assess how NAGPRA has reshaped discussions around cultural heritage management in the United States.
  • NAGPRA has reshaped discussions around cultural heritage management by prioritizing Indigenous voices in decisions about their own heritage. The act has sparked broader conversations about the ethical responsibilities of institutions to acknowledge historical injustices related to colonization and appropriation. By advocating for repatriation, NAGPRA not only highlights issues of ownership and control but also serves as a model for similar movements globally, pushing for a re-evaluation of how cultural heritage is preserved and shared.

Related terms

Cultural Heritage: The legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes inherited from past generations, valued for their historical, cultural, or spiritual significance.

Repatriation: The process of returning cultural property or human remains to their country of origin or to the communities from which they were taken.

Indigenous Rights: The collective rights of Indigenous peoples to maintain and strengthen their distinct political, legal, economic, social, and cultural institutions.