The October 2010 issue of Science includes a special news package on repatriation issues.

Twenty years ago, Congress passed the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. The 1990 law requires federal agencies and institutions that receive federal funding to return ancestors and artifacts to their rightful owners: tribes, Native Americans and Native Hawaiians.

A review by the Government Accountability Office found that federal agencies haven't fully complied with the law even after 20 years. And disputes with scientists, archaeologists and institutions have landed in court and have prevented the repatriation of ancestors and artifacts to Native people.

The Science package looks at some of the disputes that have arisen over the years but it also looks at instances of cooperation, including an article and interview with Ernie LaPointe, a descendant of Sitting Bull. All of the articles are free but require registration to view.

Get the Story:
Join the Discussion: Returning Tribal Remains (Science Magazine October 2010)

GAO Report Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act: After Almost 20 Years, Key Federal Agencies Still Have Not Fully Complied with the Act:
Summary | Highlights | Full Report | Recommendations

Related Stories:
GAO report finds federal agencies not in compliance with NAGPRA (7/29)
Nature: GAO about to release report on NAGPRA office at Interior (7/21)