Collections tell stories: the way they’re told and who gets to tell them matter. As stewards of cultural heritage, we strive to maintain ethical and respectful practices in preserving and presenting the artifacts within our collections. This page serves to provide insight into the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and its implications on our exhibits.
Pardon our progress:
As our Native Cultures of Iowa exhibits undergo construction and repatriation processes, we remain committed to upholding the principles of NAGPRA and teaching. Our changes may involve temporary closures or adjustments to certain displays as we work toward repatriating culturally sensitive materials in accordance with the law and in collaboration with the Office of the State Archaeologist and Indigenous stakeholders.
What is NAGPRA? NAGPRA, enacted in 1990, is a U.S. federal law that aims to protect Native American graves, burial sites, and cultural items. It mandates the repatriation of human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony to culturally affiliated tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations.
Our Compliance with NAGPRA: Since its enactment, we have diligently adhered to NAGPRA regulations, working closely with Indigenous communities to identify and repatriate ancestral remains and cultural artifacts. In fact, in Iowa, this work started before NAGPRA with compliance to the Iowa Burials Protection Act of 1976 which inspired the later national regulations via NAGPRA in the 1990s. This commitment reflects our respect for Indigenous rights and cultural heritage.
Updates to NAGPRA in 2023: In 2023, significant updates were made to NAGPRA, enhancing its scope and impact on museums like ours. These updates include:
Expanded Definitions: The revised law broadens the definition of cultural items eligible for repatriation, encompassing a wider range of objects with cultural significance.
Strengthened Tribal Consultation: The amendments prioritize meaningful consultation and collaboration with tribes throughout the repatriation process, ensuring their voices are heard and respected.
Enhanced Repatriation Procedures: The updated law streamlines repatriation procedures, facilitating a smoother and more efficient process for returning cultural items to their rightful communities.
Thank you for being here: We invite you to explore our museum with an understanding of NAGPRA and its significance in preserving Indigenous cultural heritage. Through our ongoing efforts to comply with NAGPRA and engage in respectful dialogue with Indigenous communities, we honor their ancestral connections and contributions to our shared history.
Thank you for joining us on this journey of cultural stewardship.
