Native American Graves Repatriation Act

The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) is a Federal law passed in 1990 and provides a process for museums and Federal agencies to return specific Native American items. These items can be cultural items, human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, or objects of cultural patrimony, and returned to lineal descendants, or culturally affiliated Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations. NAGPRA also provides help for unclaimed and culturally unidentifiable Native American cultural items, intentional and reckless discovery of Native American cultural items on Federal and tribal lands as well as penalties for noncompliance and illegal trafficking. Furthermore, NAGPRA provides Federal grants to Indian tribes,
This coalition was an outcome from history dating back to the early 1900’s, as well as working with NAGPRA since the act was established in 1990. Dr. Kidder excavated Pecos Pueblo, 1925-1929, when this property was in private ownership. In the 1900’s, there was a close relationship between Pecos Pueblo and the Pueblo of Jemez but it was abnormal to consult with Native American descendants concerning the excavation of their ancestors’ homes and graves. When NAGPRA was passed, it was made possible for remains and objects to be claimed by and returned to culturally affiliated tribes. Inventories of NAGPRA-protected human remains and cultural objects were published in the Federal Register from locations in the Pecos National Historical Park, when NAGPRA was passed; the Pueblo of Jemez claimed the inventories from the Federal
After the reburial of the 2,067 Native American ancestors, many protocols were put in place to help when dealing with other human remain issues in the park. One protocol was for dealing with several hundred human skeletal elements that were removed from their original graves but were eroding out of piles of dirt. As well with creating new protocols, the partnership between NAGPRA and the Pueblo of Jemez, led to the creation of the Pecos Pathways program. This program is a hands-on educational program for high school students and implemented in 1998 during the reburial process. This program also gives students hands on experiences in archaeological survey, site recording, pottery making, and inventory of artifacts. Another positive result from this partnership is the continued relationship with the Pueblo of Jemez and their involvement in park activities and events. Pecos National Historic Park was the homeland for many of the Jemez families and a place the Pecos descendants stay connected to throughout the