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 and is meant to protect Native American graves from being disturbed or damaged by unauthorized activities. The act also requires that museums and Federal agencies that have possession of Native American cultural items (such as artifacts, human remains, and funerary objects) consult with Native American tribes to determine what should be done with the items. This consultation process is known as the repatriation process. The intent of NAGPRA is to protect Native American graves within the United States, including those located in New York. Under the law, museums and Federal agencies that have possession of Native American human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, or objects of cultural patrimony must consult with Native American tribes to ensure that the items are treated with respect. This includes identifying the items, returning them to the tribes, and protecting them from any further disturbance. In addition, the act requires museums and Federal agencies to provide Native Americans with a full accounting of all the Native American items in their collections. This helps to ensure that Native American tribes are properly consulted when decisions are made regarding the disposition of the items. In New York State, NAGPRA has been used to protect the graves of Native Americans and to provide Native Americans with access to their own cultural items. By doing so, NAGPRA helps to preserve the traditions and culture of Native American tribes in New York and throughout the United States.
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