NATIVE
AMERICAN GRAVES
PROTECTION
AND
REPATRIATION
ACT
(NAGPRA)
In 1993, Bering
Straits Foundation received the support of the region's Native communities
and village corporations to begin the repatriation process. In museums
and repositories throughout the nation ancestral remains from the Bering
Straits region, totaling nearly 2,000 had been stored for decades. BSF
initiated repatriation requests on behalf of some of the region's communities.
To date, ancestral remains have been repatriated to Golovin, White Mountain,
Elim, Koyuk, Savoonga, Gambell and Teller. The process of repatriation
is often a complex and painful experience but with continued efforts and
unity, all ancestral remains will be returned to their rightful place.
Bering Straits
Foundation has developed a database which includes museum inventories of
NAGPRA related objects and can assist the region's communities in their
repatriation requests. The Foundation can also assist communities in determining
the place of origin for specific ancestral remains.
Currently,
the Foundation is assisting Nome Eskimo Community and Sitnasuak Native
Corporation in drafting and adopting a joint Repatriation policy. This
will be completed in 2003 (Click on the NEW link at left to open a template community policy). After completion of this project BSF will assist
communities on an as-needed basis when the Tribal governments or Village
Corporations formally request information or technical guidance.
____________________________
Vera Metcalf,
a Foundation Board member is a member of the Native American Graves Protection
and Repatriation Act Review Committee. Until the summer of 2002, Vera served
as the Foundation's NAGPRA Coordinator and assisted the region's communities
in their repatriation efforts.
Matt Ganley,
Staff Archaeologist for the Foundation, has also assisted in the repatriation
since the beginning of the Foundation's efforts in 1993.
For
Information contact nagpra@beringstraits.com
Copyright
2003 Bering Straits Foundation
Last
modified: April 24, 2003