What is the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act?
The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) is a federal law that was passed in 1990 to provide a process for museums and federal agencies to return Native American cultural items and human remains to their respective tribes. This includes funerary objects, objects of cultural patrimony, sacred objects, and other objects of cultural significance. NAGPRA also helps protect Native American graves, and prohibits anyone from excavating, removing, damaging, or otherwise altering a grave without authorization from the landowner. In Florida, this includes all Native American graves on tribal lands, and those on federal, state, or private lands. Under NAGPRA, any museum or other institution that has received federal funds must identify and notify any tribe that may have cultural items or human remains, and list all such items. The tribal government must then decide whether or not to repatriate them. If they choose to repatriate them, a cultural items transfer agreement must be established between the responsible party and the tribe. NAGPRA is an important federal protection for Native American graves throughout the United States, including those found in Florida. It provides a way for Native American tribes and other related groups to protect their cultural heritage and ensures that Native American graves receive the respect and dignity that they deserve.
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