What is the American Indian Religious Freedom Act?

The American Indian Religious Freedom Act (AIRFA) was passed in 1978 in order to protect the right of Native Americans to practice their own religious traditions. AIRFA ensures that Native Americans can access sacred sites, use and possess sacred objects, and practice traditional ceremonies, such as the Sun Dance, without interference by the government. This includes access to public lands, in particular, national parks and monuments. Additionally, AIRFA established the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) in 1990, which requires museums and federal agencies in the United States to return Native American cultural items and human remains to their corresponding tribes. In New York, AIRFA and NAGPRA are enforced by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, as well as the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. It is important for New York residents to understand and respect the rights of Native Americans, and to be aware of the laws that ensure those rights are not violated.

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What is the American Indian Religious Freedom Act?

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