Cal State Channel Islands is committed to the respectful and timely repatriation of Native American Ancestors and cultural items in accordance with federal and state law and CSU policy.
The University approaches repatriation as both a legal responsibility and a fundamental human-rights obligation. This work must center Tribal sovereignty, Tribal knowledge, cultural protocols, transparency, and respect for the dignity of Ancestors and their communities.
What Is NAGPRA?
The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, commonly known as NAGPRA, is a federal law governing the rights of lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations to Native American human remains and specified cultural items.
NAGPRA establishes requirements for museums and federal agencies concerning:
- Human remains;
- Funerary objects;
- Sacred objects; and
- Objects of cultural patrimony.
The law includes requirements for inventories, summaries, consultation, notices, repatriation, and the treatment of discoveries on federal or Tribal lands.
What Is CalNAGPRA?
The California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, or CalNAGPRA, establishes state requirements for the repatriation of California Indian human ancestral remains and cultural items held by state agencies and museums.
CalNAGPRA includes both federally recognized Tribes and California Indian Tribes that may not have federal recognition. It also establishes requirements specifically applicable to the California State University, including campus repatriation committees and systemwide oversight.
CSU Policy
The California State University’s NAGPRA policy establishes requirements for CSU campuses concerning consultation, inventories, respectful care, repatriation, reporting, training, and institutional accountability.
CSU policy prohibits the use of Native American human remains and cultural items in teaching, research, display, publication, or other activities except as specifically permitted by law and policy and with the required Tribal consent.
CSUCI’s Commitments
CSUCI is committed to:
- Completing repatriation work thoroughly and without unnecessary delay;
- Consulting with potentially affiliated Tribes early and in good faith;
- Giving appropriate deference to Tribal traditional knowledge;
- Maintaining the dignity, privacy, and physical safety of Native American Ancestors and cultural items;
- Limiting handling and access to authorized individuals;
- Providing accurate and transparent information to consulting Tribes;
- Correcting prior institutional practices when necessary; and
- Identifying the staffing and resources needed to complete this work.
Consultation and Repatriation Process
Although each matter is different, CSUCI’s work generally includes:
-
Identification and review
Identifying Native American Ancestors and cultural items that may be held or controlled by the University and reviewing available records. -
Inventory or summary preparation
Preparing or updating legally required inventories, summaries, and supporting documentation. -
Tribal outreach and consultation
Contacting potentially affiliated Tribes and engaging in meaningful consultation. -
Determination and notice
Evaluating available information, including Tribal traditional knowledge, and completing required determinations and notices. -
Repatriation or disposition
Coordinating the return of Ancestors and cultural items in accordance with applicable law, CSU policy, and Tribal direction. - Transfer and follow-through
Completing the physical transfer respectfully and addressing documentation, confidentiality, and any remaining commitments.
CSUCI NAGPRA Committee
The CSUCI NAGPRA Committee provides review and recommendations concerning the University’s repatriation responsibilities in accordance with CalNAGPRA and CSU policy.
The Committee supports institutional accountability and helps ensure that the University’s work is informed by Tribal representatives and relevant subject-matter expertise. The Committee does not substitute for consultation directly with Tribal Nations.
Information for Tribal Nations
Tribal representatives seeking information about CSUCI’s collections, inventories, notices, consultations, or repatriation activities may contact the NAGPRA Director at nagpra@csuci.edu.
CSUCI will work with the Tribe to identify an appropriate process for sharing information, scheduling consultation, and addressing confidentiality or cultural-protocol considerations.
Information for CSUCI Employees
Any employee who knows or has reason to believe that a University department, program, laboratory, office, or storage area may possess or control Native American human remains or cultural items must contact the NAGPRA Director immediately.
Employees must not:
- Move, handle, examine, photograph, display, teach with, research, or permit access to potentially covered Ancestors or cultural items;
- Contact Tribes independently on behalf of the University regarding potential NAGPRA matters;
- Dispose of, transfer, or alter associated records; or
- Attempt to determine cultural affiliation without coordination through the University’s NAGPRA process.
- Contacting the NAGPRA Director does not presume that an item is covered by NAGPRA or CalNAGPRA. It allows the University to evaluate the matter appropriately and respectfully.
Resources
- CSU Systemwide NAGPRA Policy
- CSU NAGPRA and CalNAGPRA Website
- California Native American Heritage Commission
- California NAGPRA
- National Park Service National NAGPRA Program
- Federal NAGPRA Regulations