Title
Repatriation of Native American Human Remains to Federally Recognized Native American Tribes (Ordinance S-45040)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to repatriate (transfer) Native American human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects and objects of cultural patrimony to federally recognized Native American tribes under Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) sections 41-844 and 41-865 and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) 25 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.
Report
Summary
NAGPRA is a federal law that requires museums that receive federal funds to complete both inventories and summaries of Native American cultural items in their collections. It is intended to facilitate the repatriation of Native American human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects and objects of cultural patrimony. The law also requires museums to consult with culturally affiliated Native American tribes.
In January 2017, pursuant to Ordinance S-43135, the City Council approved the Parks and Recreation Department to apply for and accept a National NAGPRA Program Consultation/Documentation Grant. These grant funds support bioarchaeological documentation of human remains at the Pueblo Grande Museum and travel for Pueblo Grande staff to consult with culturally affiliated Native American tribes. This grant-funded project has identified over 100 sets of Native American human remains for repatriation to federally recognized Native American tribes.
In addition to human remains, there are funerary objects that are, or have previously been, associated with human remains that have been identified for repatriation to federally recognized Native American tribes. Other items identified through tribal consultation for possible repatriation include sacred objects and objects of cultural patrimony.
A.R.S. sections 41-844 and 41-865 regulate the discovery and repatriation of human remains on state and private lands. The Arizona State Museum’s State Repatriation Office oversees the administration of these statutes.
Individuals and objects subject to previous repatriation claims made under A.R.S. sections 41-844 and 41-865 have been identified by Pueblo Grande staff and bioarchaeologists. In consultation with the Arizona State Museum and culturally affiliated tribes, these human remains, funerary objects, sacred ceremonial objects or objects of cultural patrimony must be repatriated under A.R.S. sections 41-844 and 41-865, rather than NAGPRA.
Compliance
The repatriation of human remains or objects under NAGPRA will be conducted in accordance with standard protocol as identified in NAGPRA. Pueblo Grande Museum will submit a Notice of Intent to Repatriate for publication in the Federal Register before any human remains and/or objects are repatriated.
The repatriation of human remains or objects under A.R.S. sections 41-844 and 41-865 will be conducted in accordance with the proper procedures as identified by the Arizona State Museum and the Arizona State Museum will be consulted and will approve all repatriations before any human remains and/or objects are repatriated under A.R.S. sections 41-844 and 41-865.
Repatriations are anticipated to begin in April 2019 and will occur at the request of federally recognized Native American tribes. The process is expected to take multiple years.
Location
Pueblo Grande Museum: 4619 E. Washington St.
Council District: 8
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Deanna Jonovich and the Parks and Recreation Department.