The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) is a U.S. federal law that mandates the transfer of human remains and associated funerary objects, unassociated funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony to lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations who have requested them and who have the legal right to them. The University of Michigan is committed to fully complying with legal requirements of NAGPRA and repatriating Native American Ancestors and their belongings with appropriate deference to our Native Nation Partners.

***Please note the University NAGPRA policies and procedures, as drafted, are current through January 12, 2024. The policies and procedures, along with associated documents are currently under review and will be updated to align with the final rule by the Department of the Interior,  published on December 13, 2023, regarding the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act Systematic Processes for Disposition or Repatriation of Native American Human Remains, Funerary Objects, Sacred Objects, and Objects of Cultural Patrimony.