NATIVE AMERICAN GRAVES PROTECTION AND REPATRIATION ACT Meaning and
Definition
-
The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) is a legislation enacted in 1990 by the United States Congress. NAGPRA provides a legal framework for the repatriation and protection of Native American cultural and human remains, sacred objects, and cultural patrimony. It aims to address the long-standing issue of unauthorized excavation, removal, and display of Native American artifacts in museums, federal agencies, and other institutions.
The act requires institutions that receive federal funding to collaborate with Native American tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations in assessing their collections for potentially stolen or unlawfully obtained cultural items. Should any such items be identified, the institutions are obligated to make a good faith effort to repatriate them to the rightful Native American tribes or organizations.
Additionally, NAGPRA grants tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations the right to control and manage their ancestral human remains and objects of cultural significance. It establishes a process for tribes to request the return of their cultural property, including ceremonies, burials, and sacred objects. It also allows tribes to claim legal and cultural rights over these objects, protecting them from further disturbance or exploitation.
NAGPRA is a crucial piece of legislation aimed at rectifying the historical injustices faced by Native American tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations. It acknowledges their rights to their cultural heritage and seeks to restore their relationship with their ancestral remains and sacred objects.
