The University of California Office of the President invites comments on a proposed Presidential Policy on Native American Cultural Affiliation and Repatriation. The proposed policy substantively revises the existing Policy and Procedures on Curation and Repatriation of Human Remains and Cultural Items (“Current Policy”). The policy pertains to the treatment and repatriation of Native American and Native Hawaiian human remains and cultural items under the University’s stewardship and the University’s compliance with the federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (“NAGPRA”), its accompanying regulations, and the California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (“CalNAGPRA”).
Below is a list of the significant changes present in Policy Version 3 from the Current Policy.
- Creates a list of principles that emphasize the repatriation of Native American and Native Hawaiian human remains as a fundamental objective and value of the University.
- Reconstitutes the Systemwide Committee and Campus Committees, if necessary, to include equal Native American representation.
- Shifts final approvals of repatriation to the campus from UCOP to reduce delays in repatriation; the Systemwide Committee and UCOP will provide an oversight role and hear appeals of campus decisions.
- Provides a detailed description of the Repatriation process via a Flowchart and Flowchart Narrative.
- Provides a detailed description of the Consultation process all campuses must use when engaging with Native American tribes.
- Requires campuses with NAGPRA/CalNAGPRA-eligible Cultural Items to appoint a Repatriation Coordinator to work with and assist Native American tribes to facilitate Repatriation.
- Incorporates a process for disposition of Culturally Unidentifiable Human Remains and Cultural Items to either federally recognized tribes or non-federally recognized tribes (including California Indian Tribes) via NAGPRA (43 C.F.R. §10.11) and/or CalNAGPRA (Ca H&SC §§8010-30).
- Requires campuses create repatriation implementation plans including the following elements: invitations for consultation and proactive reevaluations of all previous determinations of culturally unidentifiable human remains or associated funerary objects; outreach to culturally affiliated tribes; outreach to controlling agencies to prompt and encourage their repatriation efforts; budgets; and timelines.
- Prohibits research, instruction, destructive analysis, and other manipulation without tribal approval requirements.
- Provides a more robust mechanism for tribes to appeal campus determinations.
- Provides a means for tribes to submit complaints about the consultation process or access.
- Provides direction for whistleblowers that would like to report noncompliance with this Policy.
Submit your comments directly to RPAC@ucop.edu no later than June 24, 2020. If you have any questions, please contact Lourdes DeMattos at Lourdes.Demattos@ucop.edu or (510) 987-9850.
Related Information
Native American Cultural Affiliation & Repatriation Policy
