NAGPRA Advisory Committee Formed

October 1, 2020

MSU has officially formed a NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act) Advisory Committee. The committee is tasked with drafting and reviewing relevant policies and providing guidance on the identification and repatriation of Native American cultural items and Ancestors. The committee is composed of representatives from History, Anthropology, the Forensic Anthropology Laboratory, Archives and Library, Broad Art Museum, MSU Museum, American Indian and Indigenous Studies, Native American Institute, Religious Studies, and a Tribal representative from MACPRA (Michigan Anishinaabek Cultural Protection and Repatriation Alliance). By bringing diverse perspectives together, the advisory committee promotes transparency, accountability, and culturally sensitive decision-making in the implementation of NAGPRA.

The formation of the Advisory Committee is an important step in ensuring compliance with federal law and fostering respectful collaboration with Native American tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations.