The Interior Department is holding three consultation sessions
next week to discuss a sensitive issue under the
Native American Graves Protection And Repatriation Act.
NAGPRA was created so individual Indians, tribes Native
Hawaiians could reclaim their ancestors and cultural property.
Museums that receive federal money and federal agencies have repatriated
thousands of remains and artifacts since the law's passage in 1990.
But some controversial aspects of the law are unimplemented.
One affects remains and items that can't be linked conclusively
to present-day tribes, a situation that has led to several
high-profile disputes, including
one that nearly went to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Another sensitive issue, to be discussed next week, affects ancestors
and artifacts that haven't been claimed under NAGPRA.
The National Park Service hopes to talk with tribes, museums and
other affected parties to develop regulations that will determine
what happens to these unclaimed items.
The first meeting takes place on Wednesday, April 18, from
8:30am to noon. The session, at the main Interior building
in Washington, D.C., is reserved for representatives
of tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations.
A second meeting will be held that same afternoon at Interior.
Representatives of museums and scientific organizations
are invited to attend this session.
A final consultation, for members of the public, takes place
on Thursday, April 19, during the National NAGPRA Review Committee
meeting. The members of the committee, who represent
tribes, Native Hawaiians, museums and the scientific community,
will also present their views on the issue.
A notice published in today's Federal Register outlines some of
the questions that will be considered as the regulations
are developed.
They include how to treat items found on reservations,
items claimed by non-federally recognized tribes and
items without any claimants.
The notice doesn't give a timeline for the development of the new rules.
The issue has been on Interior's agenda for some time, as has
the one affecting remains and items that can't be linked conclusively
to present-day tribes.
Separately, museums and federal agencies face an October 20
deadline to complete summaries of their holdings under NAGPRA.
To date, 774 museums and 289 federal entities have
provided summaries or inventories to about 770 tribes and
Native Hawaiian organizations,
according to the National Park Service, which manages
the national NAGPRA program.
Attempts to clarify the first issue, regarding items and their
link to present-day tribes, were made in the 109th Congress.
But the Bush administration and representatives of the scientific
community opposed an amendment to NAGPRA that would allow
tribes to claim ancient remains.
Federal Register Notice:
Consultation On Regulations Regarding The Disposition Of Unclaimed Native American Human Remains, Funerary Objects, Sacred Objects, Or Objects Of Cultural Patrimony Excavated Or Discovered On Federal Or Tribal Lands After November 16, 1990, Pursuant To
NAGPRA (April 11, 2007)
NAGPRA Review Committee/Spirit Cave Man Decision:
Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe v. BLM
(September 21, 2006)
Relevant Links:
National NAGPRA - http://www.cr.nps.gov/nagpra
Related Stories:
Museums face deadline to comply with NAGPRA (4/2)
Two appointments to NAGPRA review committee (03/20)
Utah bill to protect remains on private land passes (03/02)
Museum to repatriate bones to Miccosukee Tribe (02/09)
Utah bill expands protection for remains on private land (02/08)
Yellowstone National Park to repatriate skull (11/30)
Museum in New York to unveil restored Haida canoe (11/14)
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Chicago museum returning remains to Haida Nation (03/27)
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Museums face deadline to comply with NAGPRA (4/2)
Two appointments to NAGPRA review committee (03/20)
Utah bill to protect remains on private land passes (03/02)
Museum to repatriate bones to Miccosukee Tribe (02/09)
Utah bill expands protection for remains on private land (02/08)
Yellowstone National Park to repatriate skull (11/30)
Museum in New York to unveil restored Haida canoe (11/14)
Micmac woman appointed to NAGPRA review panel (10/31)
Judge faults BLM for decision on ancient remains (09/25)
Column: Fine tuning of Native repatriation act (08/28)
Federal Register: Nominations for NAGPRA panel (8/18)
Commentary: Long battle to repatriate ancestors (8/18)
Bill allows study of ancient remains on federal land (08/10)
Art museums urged to work with tribes on artifacts (08/10)
Artifacts stolen before being returned to Caddo Tribe (08/08)
Anniversary of Kennewick Man discovery nears (07/25)
Items taken from Auk Tribe returned to clans (06/28)
Perspective: NAGPRA impacts art and science (03/29)
Repatriation a major issue for tribes, museums (03/09)
Opinion: Common ground in Kennewick Man study (3/6)
Science Snapshot: Study of Kennewick Man (2/28)
Scientists continue study of Kennewick Man remains (2/24)
Kennewick Man's teeth may tell true age of remains (02/02)
University hires employee to oversee artifacts (01/20)
Bush administration opposes NAGPRA amendment (07/29)
Listening Lounge: Senate hearing on repatriation (07/28)
Editorial: Science trumps Native repatriation (7/27)
Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearings (7/25)
Editorial: McCain should drop NAGPRA amendment (7/20)
Scientists wrap up work on Kennewick Man remains (7/19)
Kennewick Man scientists fear NAGPRA amendment (7/15)
Scientists begin study of Kennewick Man remains (7/11)
NAGPRA amendment up for hearing in Senate (07/06)
Column: Hearing slated on two-word change to NAGPRA (06/24)
Scientists get ready to study Kennewick Man (6/21)
Native students upset over handling of artifacts (05/17)
Tribe says NAGPRA amendment will right a wrong (04/19)
Opinion: McCain bill will block study of ancient remains (04/14)
Scientists oppose McCain bill to change NAGPRA (04/08)
Panel approves Native Hawaiian, NAGPRA changes (03/10)
NAGPRA change up for Senate consideration again (3/9)
Tribes seek role in Kennewick Man proceedings (02/16)
Campbell-backed bill adds two words to NAGPRA (10/1)
NAGPRA board asked to review Bush-Geronimo claims (08/16)
Battle over Kennewick Man study far from over (08/02)
Editorial: Let Kennewick Man speak! (say what?) (07/22)
Column: Kennewick Man belongs to everyone (7/21)
Tribes to seek restrictions on Kennewick Man study (7/20)
Tribes drop Kennewick Man claim in court (7/20)
Repatriation process criticized at Senate hearing (07/15)
Editorial: It's about time Kennewick Man case ends (04/29)
Tribes debate next step in Kennewick Man case (04/27)
Kennewick rehearing denied (4/21)
Court rules scientists can study Kennewick Man (02/05)
Repatriation a slow process for everyone involved (01/13)
Native Hawaiians, museum in repatriation fight (06/02)
Chicago museum returning remains to Haida Nation (03/27)
Opinion: Artifact sentence a slap in the face (03/03)
Man who sold sacred items spared jail time (02/13)
N.M. man pleads guilty to selling artifacts (09/11)
Eagle feather ruling leaves open questions (8/6)
Norton treads uncharted waters over remains (4/11)
Appeals court upholds eagle protection laws (1/17)
Man denies crime for selling artifacts (11/16)
Indian man convicted of eagle violations (10/29)
Court to rehear eagle protection cases (8/9)
Minn. man sentenced for eagle violation (5/31)
Man pleads guilty to selling artifacts (11/2)
Undercover sting nets sacred artifacts (10/02)
Govt works to protect artifacts (6/29)
Yahoo! removes auction (6/22)
Culture for Sale: Sitting Bull (6/20)
Culture for Sale: eBay (5/23)
Consultation sessions set on NAGPRA issue
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