Federal NAGPRA
Federal NAGPRA Law – This National Park Service site provides links to the law enacted in 1990, congressional reports and hearings on the implementation of the law, and other resources.
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nagpra/the-law.htm
Federal NAGPRA Regulations – The Department of the Interior issues regulations to interpret and implement the law. Regulations have the force and effect of law. The “final rule,” intended to improve implementation of NAGPRA, became effective on January 12, 2024.
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nagpra/regulations.htm
National NAGPRA Program – Resources – These resources for respectful return include getting started, compliance, enforcement, review committee, grants, law and policy, reference library, among others.
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nagpra/index.htm
National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers – NATHPO is a non-profit organization, founded in 1998, that supports and encourages Tribal Historic Preservation Programs.
https://www.nathpo.org
California
California NAGPRA – The California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (CalNAGPRA) was passed in 2001 to facilitate the implementation of the federal NAGPRA in California. Subsequent state laws have provided additional requirements and mechanisms.
https://nahc.ca.gov/calnagpra/
State of California Native American Heritage Commission – The NAHC is charged with administering CalNAGPRA, among many other powers and duties.
https://nahc.ca.gov
Training
National NAGPRA YouTube Videos – The National NAGPRA Program offers on-demand training on a variety of topics for beginner to advanced NAGPRA practitioners.
https://www.youtube.com/nationalnagpra
National Preservation Institute – NPI offers continuing education and professional training for those involved in the management, preservation, and stewardship of cultural heritage.
https://www.npi.org/trainings
Repatriation beyond NAGPRA and other resources
Rights of Indigenous Peoples – The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was adopted by the General Assembly on Thursday, 13 September 2007. The UNDRIP can be used in repatriation efforts to support international repatriation.
https://social.desa.un.org/issues/indigenous-peoples/united-nations-declaration-on-the-rights-of-indigenous-peoples
A Guide to International Repatriation – The Association on American Indian Affairs has composed an International Repatriation Guide to assist communities seeking to start their own international repatriation efforts.
https://www.indian-affairs.org/internationalrepatriation.html
The Going Home Fund, a program of the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, & Museums (ATALM), assists Native communities, cultural institutions, and individuals with the voluntary return of objects to Indigenous communities worldwide.
https://www.atalm.org
International Repatriation of Native American Cultural Heritage – The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) may support efforts to repatriate items of cultural heritage offered in foreign auctions or held in foreign museums, upon request by a federally-recognized Indian Tribe, Alaska Native community, or Native Hawaiian organization.
https://www.doi.gov/intl/-international-repatriation-assistance
Discovery of human remains or cultural resources (in California)
What should I do if I find (Native American) human remains, artifacts, or other cultural resources on my private property? – You should immediately stop the activity that exposed the remains or items and secure the location to ensure that they are not further disturbed or damaged. Adhere to federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.
If there are human remains, contact the County Coroner. See the following guidelines:
https://nahc.ca.gov/resources/discovery-of-native-american-human-remains-what-to-do/
If there are artifacts or cultural resources (other than human remains), contact the California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC):
https://nahc.ca.gov/contact-us/