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 established in 1990 to protect Native American cultural items, particularly graves and burial sites. It gives Native American tribes and Native Alaskan villages the right to reclaim items that have been taken from their land and to repatriate human remains and associated funerary objects. It also requires institutions that receive federal funds to inventory and document Native American cultural items in their collections and to create procedures for their repatriation. In Vermont, the NAGPRA applies to all state and federal agencies, institutions, and Native American tribes. It requires these organizations to identify and inventory Native American cultural items in their collections and to consult with Native American tribal representatives before any of these items are transferred, sold, or otherwise disposed of. NAGPRA also requires organizations to consult with tribal representatives about identifying and repatriating Native American remains and funerary objects. Additionally, NAGPRA requires organizations to create procedures for repatriation of Native American cultural items to the appropriate tribal representative or Native American organization. These procedures include inventorying objects, determining their origin and ownership, and consulting with tribal representatives. NAGPRA also requires organizations to provide financial assistance to Native American organizations in order to facilitate repatriation. Overall, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act is important in both Vermont and the United States, as it helps to protect and respect Native American cultural and historical items. It ensures that Native American tribes and Native Alaskan villages are involved in the decision-making process when their items are affected and provides them with the resources to properly repatriate these items.

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