Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA)

The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) is a federal law recognizing that Native American human remains must be treated with dignity and respect, and provides a process for their repatriation to lineal descendants or culturally affiliated tribes.

NAGPRA requires federally funded institutions to compile inventories of human remains and associated funerary objects in their collections, and to engage in consultation with lineal descendants, Indian tribes, and Native Hawaiian Organizations. NAGPRA also requires those institutions to complete and send summaries of unassociated funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony to lineal descendants, Indian tribes, and Native Hawaiian Organizations.

Wesleyan University is committed to its NAGPRA compliance, and continues to work in partnership with Indian tribes, Native Hawaiian Organizations, and descendant communities in repatriation efforts.

Inquiries related to NAGPRA, repatriation, or collections with NAGPRA status should be directed to Wendi Field Murray at wmurray01@wesleyan.edu.