Since 1990, Federal law has provided for the repatriation and disposition of certain Native American human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony. By enacting NAGPRA, Congress recognized that human remains of any ancestry "must at all times be treated with dignity and respect." Congress also acknowledged that human remains and other cultural items removed from Federal or tribal lands belong, in the first instance, to lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations. With this law, Congress sought to encourage a continuing dialogue between museums and Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations and to promote a greater understanding between the groups while at the same time recognizing the important function museums serve in society by preserving the past. (US Senate Report 101-473).
Facilitating Respectful Return
![Getting Started with NAGPRA](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218005104im_/https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/grid_builder/nagpra/crop16_9/DBC41B7A-1DD8-B71B-0B1B154DE4986CF2.jpg?width=950&quality=90&mode=crop)
Getting Started
A quick look at NAGPRA and its requirements.
![Compliance](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218005104im_/https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/grid_builder/nagpra/crop16_9/76895D53-1DD8-B71B-0BF571279802F667.jpg?width=465&quality=90&mode=crop)
Compliance
Who must comply with NAGPRA and what must they do?
![Enforcement](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218005104im_/https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/grid_builder/nagpra/crop16_9/09989218-1DD8-B71B-0BD53EF0521D266D.jpg?width=465&quality=90&mode=crop)
Enforcement
What if someone fails to comply or violates NAGPRA?
![Review Committee](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218005104im_/https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/grid_builder/nagpra/crop16_9/25ED98D6-9093-4A98-03EE682B51184439.jpg?width=465&quality=90&mode=crop)
Review Committee
Who is responsible for monitoring and reviewing NAGPRA implementation?
![Grants](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218005104im_/https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/grid_builder/nagpra/crop16_9/BC6461A1-1DD8-B71B-0BAEFFE20AFD4875.jpg?width=465&quality=90&mode=crop)
Grants
What funding is available for repatriations under NAGPRA?
![Law and Policy](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218005104im_/https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/grid_builder/nagpra/crop16_9/76DCBAED-1DD8-B71B-0BBC6A8742885A1A.jpg?width=465&quality=90&mode=crop)
Law and Policy
Read NAGPRA, its legislative history, and regulations.
![Reference Library](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218005104im_/https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/grid_builder/nagpra/crop16_9/DB7A8C83-1DD8-B71B-0BF90CB668FC7BBB.jpg?width=465&quality=90&mode=crop)
Reference Library
Find a glossary, training videos, and more.
![National NAGPRA Program Staff](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218005104im_/https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/grid_builder/nagpra/crop16_9/25F86441-1DD8-B71B-0BDC6C8BE2FEACF0.jpg?width=307&quality=90&mode=crop)
National NAGPRA Program Staff
Responsible for administering the Act on behalf of the Secretary of the Interior.
![Upcoming Events](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218005104im_/https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/grid_builder/nagpra/crop16_9/D9EDF936-1DD8-B71B-0B11C7BE73F3785D.jpg?width=307&quality=90&mode=crop)
Upcoming Events
By the National NAGPRA Program and its partners.
![Current News](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218005104im_/https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/grid_builder/nagpra/crop16_9/DA5BF2B7-1DD8-B71B-0B93420CCA015E30.jpg?width=307&quality=90&mode=crop)
Current News
Announcements and more from the National NAGPRA Program.
Last updated: November 22, 2019