The National Park Service has compiled a list of Federal, Tribal, Native Alaskan, Native American and Native Hawaiian contacts to assist other Federal agencies and museums in complying with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).
The law requires Federal agencies and museums that receive Federal funds to consult with Indian tribes, Native Alaskan entities, and Native Hawaiian organizations regarding the proper care and disposition of Native American human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony with which they are culturally affiliated, and to provide a summary of their collections by November 16, 1993.
The list is comprised of designated officials from the 752 federally recognized Indian tribes and Native Alaskan entities, 7 Native Hawaiian organizations, and 42 Federal agencies. It includes the name, address and telephone number of the chair, president, or other official specifically designated to deal with issues related to NAGPRA implementation. A copy of the contact list is available in either printed or electronic format.
The required summaries should include estimates of the number of Native American cultural objects in the collection; reference to the means, date(s), and location(s) whereby the collection was acquired; and observations about any lineal descendants, if available, or culturally affiliated Indian tribes, Native Alaskan entities, or Native Hawaiian organizations. Copies of a memorandum that provides guidance on summaries, inventories, and notification, including a sample summary, are also available from the National Park Service.
The tribal and Federal agency contact list and the guidance memorandum can be obtained from the Park Service by contacting: Dr. c. Timothy McKeown, National Park Service, NAGPRA Program Leader, Archeological Assistance Div., P.O. Box 37127, Washington, D.C. 20013-7127, Tele: (202) 343-4101; Fax: (202) 523-1547
