Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act

The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), enacted in 1990, is a U.S. law that protects Native American cultural items, including human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony. It requires federal agencies and museums to inventory these items, consult with Native tribes, and return or repatriate them upon request. The law aims to respect Native American cultural heritage, religious practices, and ancestral remains, fostering collaboration and ensuring that tribal communities have a say in the handling of their cultural and spiritual objects.