Scientists oppose pro-tribal NAGPRA amendment

Monday, December 3, 2007  

Scientists are opposing an amendment to he Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act that would help tribes reclaim ancestral remains.

The scientists say the amendment would prevent them from studying remains that can't be conclusively linked to modern-day tribes. They say tribes could even claim Hispanic people.

The Bush administration also opposes the bill. "We believe that NAGPRA should protect the sensibilities of currently existing tribes, cultures, and people while balancing the need to learn about past cultures and customs," an Interior Department official said.

The bill was approved by the Senate Indian Affairs Committee in September. It hasn't been scheduled for consideration on the Senate floor.

Get the Story:
Scientists protest Indian tribe control over ancient remains (AP 12/3)
Remains of Indian await rule change and reburial The Richmond Times-Dispatch 12/2)

Get the Bill:
A bill to amend certain laws relating to Native Americans to make technical corrections, and for other purposes (S.2087)

Court Decision:
BONNICHSEN v. US (February 4, 2004)

Relevant Links:
National NAGPRA - http://www.cr.nps.gov/nagpra

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Column: Fine tuning of Native repatriation act (08/28)
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