International Repatriation

The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation (NAGPRA) is only applicable within the jurisdictional boundaries of the United States to federally funded repositories. NAGPRA does not cover private collections or international collections (except in the instance of a collection held at a U.S. Embassy).

It is estimated that 1 – 2 million ancestral remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony reside in international repositories throughout the world.

The Association on American Indian Affairs (AAIA) has responded to the issue of international repatriation, which Native American tribes are facing throughout the country, most particularly because tribes have expressed how “overwhelmed” they feel at the prospect of repatriation ancestral remains and cultural objects in international repositories when NAGPRA is so severely underfunded already in the United States.

International Repatriation Project: The AAIA has implemented the International Repatriation Project to provide research and assistance, when requested, in international repatriations. Many Native communities are unaware which international repository holds their community’s ancestral remains and cultural objects. The AAIA has created a culturally sensitive database for tribes to research these collections. We are also in the process of creating an International Repatriation Guide for Native communities to assist them in their efforts. In addition, the AAIA has put in place an informal mentorship program, where one indigenous community member volunteers to answer questions about the international repatriation process asked by another Native community.

The AAIA is also prepared to assist with international repatriations, when requested, by a Native community. International repatriations often involve museum and cultural heritage laws of another country that may become involved in the process. In addition, to date, most international repatriations have occurred from museums directly to indigenous communities, and have involved negotiations with these international repositories.