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 that seeks to protect Native American graves and protect the associated cultural items from unauthorized excavation, removal, and sale. NAGPRA applies to all federally recognized Native American tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and individual Native Americans in the United States. Under NAGPRA, Native American tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and individual Native Americans can make claims to Native American human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and items of cultural patrimony in federally owned or administered museum collections. If these claims are made, the museums are obligated to furnish a summary of the objects to the claiming entities. In New Hampshire, NAGPRA is enforced by the Native American Graves and Repatriation Commission (NAGRC). The NAGRC has the responsibility to investigate and mediate disputes involving NAGPRA claims, provide guidelines for museums and Native American tribes related to NAGPRA compliance, and to establish regulations governing the implementation of NAGPRA. The NAGRC works with entities in New Hampshire to ensure that Native American graves and associated grave goods are handled with respect and that Native American cultural items in museum collections are returned to their rightful owners. NAGPRA is an important part of protecting and preserving the cultural heritage of Native American tribes in New Hampshire.
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