Tribal Repatriation Practices

Tribal Repatriation Practices

Unit Author: Angela Neller (Native Hawaiian), Curator Wanapum Heritage Center

Description

The impact of repatriation on Native American Tribes extends past the processes of reviewing summaries and inventories, making claims, and transferring NAGPRA items. There are significant cultural and spiritual requirements and effects for tribal individuals implementing NAGPRA for their tribes. This module explores the responsibilities that tribes have to implement repatriation and the practices they undertake to meet the cultural and spiritual obligations to themselves, their families, and their communities.   

Learning Goals

  • What are the cultural and spiritual impacts of repatriation to Native American tribes and individuals?
  • What activities to tribes undertake in implementing repatriation?

Terms and Concepts

  • Tribal Sovereignty
  • Tribal Spirituality

Readings

Eric Hemenway, “Finding Our Way Home” In Accomplishing NAGPRA: Perspectives on the Intent, Impact, and Future of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (Corvallis: Oregon State University Press, 2013) pp. 83-98. 

Clayton W. Dumont, Jr., “Navigating a Colonial Quagmire: Affirming Native Lives In the Struggle to Defend Our Dead” In Accomplishing NAGPRA: Perspectives on the Intent, Impact, and Future of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (Corvallis: Oregon State University Press, 2013) pp. 239-264.

Presentation: Columbia Plateau Inter-Tribal Repatriation Group, Transcript for the NAGPRA Review Committee Meeting, 62nd Meeting, March 2017, Denver, CO., c pg. 53-67.

Public Comment: Angela Garcia-Lewis/Reylynne Williams, Transcript for the NAGPRA Review Committee Meeting, 62nd Meeting, March 2017, Denver, CO., Volume 2 pg. 150-157.

Website: The Arizona Government-to-Government Toolkit

Podcast: Emily Van Alst (SihasapaLakota descent). "International Indigenous Archaeology, NAGPRA, and the Northern Plains - Episode 6" Heritage Voices, part of the Archaeology Podcast Network. Posted 20 June 2017.