Native American Grave and Burial Protection Act

Summary

Native American Grave and Burial Protection Act - Prohibits the sale, use for profit, or interstate transport of Native American Indian skeletal remains without the written consent of the heirs of the deceased or the governing body of the Indian tribe culturally affiliated with such remains. Prescribes penalties for violations. Provides that any remains which have not been excavated or discovered by the date of this Act's enactment shall be disposed of according to the wishes of the heirs or the culturally affiliated tribe. Deems grave goods or sacred ceremonial objects found on public or tribal land to be owned by the tribe: (1) on whose reservation such items were discovered; (2) who aboriginally occupied the land on which the items were discovered; or (3) who can show a cultural affiliation with the items. Requires Federal agencies which possess or control any Native American skeletal remains or sacred objects to: (1) inventory such items and, to the extent possible, identify such items as to tribal origin; and (2) notify each tribe of the possession of such items. Directs tribes to decide which remains or objects they agree to accept and to notify the appropriate Federal agency. Requires Federal agencies and museums receiving Federal funds to return items to the tribe unless such items: (1) were acquired with the consent of the tribe or the legitimate Native American owners; or (2) are indispensable for the completion of a specific scientific study. Makes ineligible for further Federal funding museums not in compliance with this Act.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

No timeline events have been ingested for this record yet.

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

No version snapshots stored. Document URLs remain at the source.

Documents

2 official files

• Introduced in House (text)

  Introduced in House · EN

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 23 March 1989

  Open at official source

Sponsors

No sponsors or actors listed by the source.

Related records

No cross-record relationships stored yet.