What is the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act?
The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) is a federal law passed in 1990 to protect Native American cultural heritage. This law provides for the return of certain Native American cultural items, such as human remains and certain sacred objects to the rightful Native American tribes and indigenous peoples in the United States. Under NAGPRA, museums and other institutions holding certain Native American cultural items must identify and inventory them. These items must then be returned to lineal descendants or culturally affiliated Indian tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and traditional Native Alaskan villages. This repatriation has been a long-awaited step towards protecting and preserving Native American cultural heritage. New York, along with other states, is currently bound by the provisions of this law. Every institution in the state must inventory and return those Native American cultural items that are subject to NAGPRA and prevent unauthorized excavation, removal, and/or commercial use of Native American human remains and other cultural items located on federal and tribal lands. In addition, the law also provides for the repatriation of Native American remains held by state and local museums. If remains are identified as culturally affiliated with an Indian Tribe, Native Hawaiian organization, or traditional Alaskan village, the NAGPRA requires the museum to return those remains to their rightful representatives. Overall, NAGPRA presents a substantial step towards protecting Native American cultural heritage and repatriating sacred items to their rightful owners. New York and its institutions must comply with the provisions of NAGPRA to ensure the protection of Native American cultural heritage.
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