National Museum of the American Indian Act

Summary

National American Indian Museum Act - Establishes within the Smithsonian Institution a memorial to Native Americans to be known as the National Museum of the American Indian, to provide for the study, research, collection, and exhibition of Native Americans and their culture. Designates specified areas in the District of Columbia and New York City as the sites of facilities for the Museum. Requires establishment of a facility for the conservation and storage of Museum collections at the Museum Support Center in Suitland, Maryland. Authorizes the Smithsonian to: (1) provide for the transfer of certain assets of the Heye Foundation for the benefit and use of the Museum; (2) construct such facilities; (3) provide for acquisition of Native American objects and artifacts from museums or private collections; and (4) maintain or loan objects and artifacts in the Museum collection. Establishes the Board of Trustees of the Museum. Directs the Board to: (1) recommend annual budgets for the Museum; and (2) assist the Board of Regents on matters relating to the Museum. Grants the Trustees sole authority to: (1) dispose of and acquire additional Museum property; and (2) establish policy with respect to the utilization of the Museum's collections. Grants the Trustees authority to: (1) establish policy with respect to the restoration, preservation, and maintenance of Museum collections; (2) solicit funds for the Museum; (3) approve expenditures from the Museum's endowment; (4) advise the Museum's Director; (5) provide for the exhibition of Native American objects and artifacts; and (6) conduct research and evaluation and educational programs with respect to the Museum collections. Requires the Trustees to submit annual reports to the Board of Regents and the Congress. Requires the Foundation's employees serving at the time of the transfer to be offered employment by the Smithsonian. Directs the Board of Regents to: (1) loan artifacts and objects from the Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibit service to the Heye Foundation's successor; and (2) provide training and assistance to such successor to maintain and operate exhibits and a museum facility at Audubon Terrace, New York, New York. Directs the Board, in providing such services, to require such successor to: (1) designate a specified area for exhibit space; (2) ensure physical suitability of such space for exhibition of traveling collections; and (3) make an effort to coordinate exhibits. Authorizes the Board to enter into agreements with museums, educational institutions, and cultural organizations to: (1) loan Native American artifacts and objects from the Museum collection; (2) sponsor and coordinate traveling exhibitions; and (3) provide technical assistance. Directs the Board to enter into an agreement with the Secretary of the Interior to insure that certain museums have an opportunity to participate in such programs. Directs the Board to: (1) identify the geographic and tribal origins of the skeletal remains of Indians and associated grave offerings in the Smithsonian; (2) conduct a study and make recommendations on how to implement a policy of returning or repatriating such skeletal remains and associated grave offerings according to tribal custom; (3) consult with traditional Indian religious leaders in making such recommendations; and (4) report to the Congress within three years of this Act's enactment on the identity of such skeletal remains and associated grave offerings and the findings and recommendations of such study. Directs the Secretary to make grants available for assisting Indian tribes in such repatriation. Authorizes appropriations.

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4 official files

• Reported in House (text)

  Reported in House · EN

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• Introduced in House (text)

  Introduced in House · EN

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• Passed House amended

  summary · EN · 13 November 1989

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• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 15 June 1989

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