NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act)

The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) is a U.S. law established in 1990 that protects Native American burial sites and cultural heritage. It requires federal agencies and institutions that receive federal funding to return Native American human remains, funerary objects, and sacred items to their respective tribes or descendants. NAGPRA aims to respect the cultural and spiritual beliefs of Native Americans, promote collaboration between tribes and institutions, and ensure that indigenous communities have a voice in the treatment of their ancestors and cultural artifacts.