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 address the treatment and protection of Native American human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony. NAGPRA provides a process for Native American tribes and traditional Native American cultural leaders to reclaim these items from museums, universities, and other organizations which possess them. The law requires that any items identified as belonging to a certain tribe must be returned to the tribe. NAGPRA affects the state of New Jersey in several ways. First, any Native American artifacts, remains, or sacred objects found on a federally recognized tribal reservation in New Jersey must be repatriated to that tribe. Additionally, all institutions in New Jersey, including universities, museums, and libraries must catalog any Native American items in their possession and contact tribes to inform them of the items’ existence. Any items which are culturally affiliated to a certain tribe must be repatriated. Finally, NAGPRA provides a process to repatriate any Native American human remains, funerary objects, or sacred objects excavated off of a tribal reservation. In New Jersey, this includes items found off of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape tribal reservation, the Ramapough Mountain Indian Reservation, or any other tribal lands. When discovered, the appropriate tribe must be notified; the tribe can then choose to repatriate the items or work with the institutions to leave the items in the institutions’ possession.
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