NAGPRA
The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) is a federal law that was enacted in 1990 to protect Native American, Alaska Native, and Kānaka Maoli / Native Hawaiian human remains, graves, and human rights (25 USC §§ 3001-30013). The law provides institutions and federal agencies a process for returning human remains and certain kinds of cultural items to lineal descendants or culturally affiliated Native American Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations.
In recognition of Tribal sovereignty, the NAGPRA repatriation process is centered on building government-to-government relationships. It requires institutions and federal agencies to consult with lineal descendants, Native American Tribes, and Native Hawaiian Organizations to determine who is affiliated with the ancestors and cultural items in an institution’s custody, and how the ancestors and cultural items should be returned.
NAGPRA at Portland State University
In the past, Portland State University participated in harmful practices of taking Native American belongings and ancestors. This is a history that we are not proud of, but we accept it as our legacy and our responsibility. Portland State University is fully committed to returning all of the Native American ancestors and cultural items in our custody in an appropriate and timely manner.
To ensure we reach these goals, Portland State University now retains a NAGPRA Coordinator to manage all NAGPRA-related affairs. The NAGPRA Coordinator is overseen by the Vice President for Research & Graduate Studies. Portland State University is also working to establish new policies, procedures, and training to prevent similar harm from happening again.
If you have any questions about Portland State University’s NAGPRA efforts or any formal NAGPRA requests, please send an email to Reno Nims (NAGPRA Coordinator) at nagpra@pdx.edu.