"The Urban Native Collective wholeheartedly supports these updated NAGPRA regulations as they reinforce respect for tribal sovereignty and Indigenous self-determination. Correctly conducting consultations and securing consent from Tribal Nations, as rightful stewards of their ancestor remains and cultural heritage, is absolutely vital.

For far too long, Native communities have faced dismissal of their oral histories and traditional knowledge. We commend the regulatory shift towards mandating that institutions must defer to Tribal expertise when assessing cultural affiliation. This empowers Indigenous voices.

Additionally, we strongly condemn the harmful practices of the past, including archaeological grave robbing that disturbed Native American burial sites and sacred ground. These were egregious human rights violations. Even today, illegal pot hunting and looting of Indigenous artifacts persists, with numerous documented cases of robberies from Native burial mounds and heritage sites across Ohio. This phenomenon urgently requires more oversight and protections.

As an organization advocating for Urban Native communities, we stand firmly on the side of honoring and celebrating Native cultures, upholding tribal rights, facilitating ethical repatriation, and safeguarding Native American cultural patrimony for future generations. These NAGPRA updates represent real progress, but our collective work towards reconciliation and mutual understanding continues."

The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), enacted in 1990, represents a foundational statute in the protection of Native American cultural heritage. Its purpose is twofold: to facilitate the repatriation of Native American human remains and cultural items, including funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony, and to protect Native American burial sites on federal and tribal lands. NAGPRA requires institutions that receive federal funding—such as museums, universities, and federal agencies—to inventory their collections and identify items eligible for repatriation to affiliated tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. The act mandates a process of consultation with Native American tribes, intending to rectify historical injustices by returning ancestors and their belongings to their rightful communities.

In a significant development, the Interior Department announced updates to NAGPRA regulations, extending the deadline for institutions to update their inventories of Native American collections to five years. This extension provides a more realistic timeframe for the meticulous process of cataloging human remains and associated cultural items, ensuring accuracy and thoroughness. Additionally, these updated inventories must now be published in the Federal Register, enhancing transparency and accountability in the repatriation process. This decision to extend the deadline from the initially proposed two years to five years came in response to feedback from both tribes and museums, highlighting the necessity of sufficient time for the detailed consultations that form the cornerstone of the repatriation process under NAGPRA.

A pivotal aspect of the regulatory updates is the strengthened mandate for obtaining tribal consent prior to conducting research on Native American remains and cultural items. This shift towards requiring "free, prior, and informed consent" marks a profound recognition of tribal sovereignty and the self-determination rights of Native communities in matters concerning their ancestors and cultural heritage. This regulatory enhancement underscores the importance of respectful and equitable partnerships between holding institutions and Native tribes, ensuring that research on cultural items is aligned with the wishes and cultural practices of Native American communities. The move towards a consent-based approach is a crucial step in honoring the dignity of Native ancestors and the living cultures connected to these ancestral remains and sacred objects.

The recent updates to NAGPRA regulations have significant implications for museums, universities, and other institutions in Cincinnati that hold Native American collections. These changes underscore the urgency and importance of compliance with federal law, ensuring that the process of repatriating Native American human remains and cultural items is conducted with respect and sensitivity.
Implications of Regulatory Changes:

Extended Inventory Update Deadline: Institutions now have a five-year period to update their inventories, offering more time to accurately assess and catalog Native American collections. This extension is critical for conducting thorough and respectful consultations with Native tribes to determine the cultural affiliation of items.

Publication Requirement: Updated inventories must be published in the Federal Register, increasing transparency in the repatriation process and allowing Native communities to be better informed about items that may belong to them.

Enhanced Consultation and Consent: The emphasis on "free, prior, and informed consent" before research on Native American items highlights the importance of building meaningful relationships with Native tribes and respecting their sovereignty and cultural heritage.

Steps for Compliance:

Inventory Review and Update: Begin by reviewing and updating existing inventories of Native American human remains and cultural items. This may require additional research and consultation to ensure accuracy.

Consultation with Native Tribes: Engage in meaningful consultation with potentially affiliated Native tribes. This involves not just notification but active dialogue to ascertain the cultural affiliation of items and the wishes of the tribes regarding repatriation.

Publication in the Federal Register: Ensure that updated inventories are published in the Federal Register within the stipulated timeframe, adhering to the new transparency requirements.

Private citizens who may possess Native American cultural items or remains have a responsibility to understand the significance of these items and the importance of their repatriation to the appropriate Native communities.

Guidance for Private Citizens:

Identification of Native American Items: If you possess items that you believe could be Native American cultural items or remains, seek guidance from experts or consult with local Native American tribes to understand their significance.

Understanding the Importance of Repatriation: Recognize that these items hold cultural, spiritual, and historical importance for Native communities. Repatriating them is a step towards rectifying historical injustices and honoring the heritage of Native peoples.

Initiating the Repatriation Process: Contact the National NAGPRA Program or a local Native American tribe to discuss the items in your possession. They can guide you through the process of repatriation, ensuring that it is handled respectfully and in accordance with legal requirements.

Museums in Ohio, especially those with Native American collections, are called upon to comply fully with NAGPRA regulations. This compliance is not only a legal obligation but a moral one, reflecting a commitment to ethical stewardship of cultural heritage.

Call to Action:

Allocate Resources: Dedicate the necessary resources to inventory updates, consultation processes, and educational efforts to inform the public and the Urban Native population about NAGPRA and the significance of repatriation.

Public Engagement: Develop programs and materials that educate the public about the importance of NAGPRA compliance and the role of museums in protecting and repatriating cultural heritage. This can foster greater understanding and support for repatriation efforts.

Collaboration with Native Tribes: Strengthen partnerships with Native American tribes, ensuring that their voices are heard and respected in all matters related to their ancestors and cultural items. This collaborative approach is essential for meaningful compliance and the respectful handling of repatriation cases.