What is wrong NAGPRA?
Part of the problem with NAGPRA concerns its usage of the term “traditional Native American religion.” This may mean a ceremony believed to have been conducted in the same manner for quite some time; present-day observances bearing little resemblance to previous practices; even an attempt to reignite interest in an …
How does NAGPRA affect Archaeology today?
NAGPRA has had a dramatic effect on the day-to-day practice of archaeology and physical anthropology in the United States. In many cases, NAGPRA helped stimulate interactions of archaeologists and museum professionals with Native Americans that were felt to be constructive by all parties.
What is NAGPRA and why is it important?
What is NAGPRA and why is it important? NAGPRA stands for the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, which was established in 1990. It is fundamentally human rights legislation, and is in place to protect the cultural and biological remains of Native Americans and their ancestors.
How NAGPRA affects museums today?
NAGPRA was enacted on November 16, 1990. NAGPRA maintains that museums and other federal institutions must return items such as human remains and other culturally significant items back to the tribe or descendants, unless the institutions receive permission to keep the items.
How did Nagpra come about?
NAGPRA was initially enacted in 1990 to establish the rights of Indian tribes and their lineal descendants to obtain repatriation of certain human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony from federal agencies and museums.
What happened Kennewick Man?
The remains of Kennewick Man were cataloged and removed from the Burke Museum on 17 February 2017. The following day, more than 200 members of five Columbia Plateau tribes were present at a burial of the remains.
Who does NAGPRA affect?
3048, is a United States federal law enacted on November 16, 1990. The Act requires federal agencies and institutions that receive federal funding to return Native American “cultural items” to lineal descendants and culturally affiliated American Indian tribes, Alaska Native villages, and Native Hawaiian organizations.
What do archaeologists fear about NAGPRA?
NAGPRA has been heavily criticized by some archaeologists who fear that the statute will impair their ability to research past cultures, and who assert that repatriation of remains and objects to contemporary Indians is unjustified because the connections between ancient and modem Indian cultures are too tenuous (e.g..
Why is NAGPRA important for Native Americans?
NAGPRA legislation protects Native American graves on federal and tribal lands, recognizes tribal authority over treatment of unmarked graves and prohibits the commercial selling of deceased Native Americans.
Who is protected by NAGPRA?
Are Native American artifacts protected?
The Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) makes it illegal to damage or remove without authorization artifacts from federal and Native American lands. ARPA also prohibits the buying, selling, exchanging, or transporting of items obtained illegally under the act.
What was the purpose of the NAGPRA Act?
The NAGPRA, while conceived in good intentions, is somewhat problematic and at times ambiguous. In its own words, it is an act to provide for the protection of Native American graves, and for other purposes. The phrases other purposes is at best vague, and at worst a point of contention between some scientists and some tribes.
Can a cultural object be returned under NAGPRA?
Objects of cultural patrimony were not returnable under NAGPRA’s definitions, but joint individual and communal ownership would allow an object’s return.
How long is NAGPRA going to be a law?
NAGPRA just celebrated 25 years as a law, and the next 25 and beyond will certainly bring more challenges. But under the law, museum staff and tribal NAGPRA delegations have started the process of implementing restorative justice to tribes. Tweedie, Ann. Drawing Back Culture: The Makah Struggle for Repatriation.
What is the main difficulty scientists and museums have with NAGPRA?
The term cultural affiliation is the main difficulty that scientists and museums are having with NAGPRA.