Getting Started

Courtesy of San Diego Museum of Man.

NAGPRA requires Federal agencies and institutions that receive Federal funds (including museums, universities, state agencies, and local governments) to repatriate or transfer Native American human remains and other cultural items to the appropriate parties by--

• Consulting with lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations on Native American human remains and other cultural items;
• Protecting and planning for Native American human remains and other cultural items that may be removed from Federal or tribal lands;
• Identifying and reporting all Native American human remains and other cultural items in inventories and summaries of holdings or collections; and
• Giving notice prior to repatriating or transferring human remains and other cultural items.

Common Questions about NAGPRA

Who must comply with NAGPRA and what must they do?

» Compliance

Who is responsible for monitoring and reviewing the implementation of NAGPRA?

» Review Committee

What if a museum fails to comply with NAGPRA or someone violates the law?

» Enforcement

What funding is available for repatriation under NAGPRA?

» Grants

Where can I learn more about the law and the regulations?

» Law and Policy

What other information is available about NAGPRA?

» Reference Library

More resources for getting started with NAGPRA

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Legislative Intent of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act

US House Report 101-877, Oct. 15, 1990. "The Native American Grave [sic] Protection and Repatriation Act achieves two main objectives. The first objective deals with Native American human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects and objects of cultural patrimony which are excavated or removed from Federal or tribal lands after the enactment of the Act....The second main objective addressed in this Act deals with collections of Native American human remains, associated and unassociated funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony currently held or controlled by Federal agencies and museums....This Act allows for the repatriation of culturally affiliated items as well as any other agreement for disposition or caretaking which may be mutually agreed upon by involved parties."

US Senate Report 101-473, Sep. 26, 1990. "The Committee believes that this legislation will encourage a continuing dialogue between museums and Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations and will promote greater understanding between the groups. The Committee believes that human remains must at all times be treated with dignity and respect. The Committee recognizes the important function museums serve in society by preserving the past to educate the public and increase awareness about our country’s history."