Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA)

The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) is a Federal law that was passed on November 16, 1990, to resolve the disposition of Native American cultural items and human remains under the control of Federal agencies and institutions that receive Federal funding (“museums”), as well as the ownership or control of cultural items and human remains discovered on Federal or tribal lands after November 16, 1990. The statute and regulations outline the rights and responsibilities of lineal descendants, Indian tribes (to include Alaska Native villages), Native Hawaiian organizations, Federal agencies, and museums under the Act, and provide procedures for complying with NAGPRA. Depending on the category of cultural item in question and its cultural affiliation, NAGPRA provides lineal descendants, Indian tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations (NHOs) a process for transfer to them of cultural items. Further, the California equivalent to NAGPRA, the California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (CalNAGPRA), provides further rights to both federally recognized and non-federally recognized California Indian Tribes.

Why Does it Matter at UCI?

The University of California is committed to the repatriation of Native American human remains and cultural items in accordance with the federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), its accompanying regulations, and CalNAGPRA. The fundamental importance of facilitating the repatriation of Native American and Native Hawaiian human remains and cultural items undergirds the Policy. As a Federal and land grant institution, UCI adheres to this policy.

The Office of Inclusive Excellence will serve as the campus resource for information about NAGPRA and CalNAGPRA.

Contact

UCI’s Chancellor’s Designee
Dyonne Bergeron, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer
inclusion@uci.edu

Point of Contact
Sharon Block, Ph.D.
Associate Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
sblock@uci.edu