About the Conference
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Without culture, we cannot exist as distinct and sovereign peoples, and we lose our way. The vision of the Association is to create a world where diverse Native American cultures are lived, protected and respected. The Association has been a leader in protecting Cultural Sovereignty – the things that make us who we are as Indigenous Peoples – through our Repatriation, International Repatriation and Protection of the Sacred initiatives, as well as ensuring that culture is passed on through our Youth initiatives. The Association has advocated for the protection and repatriation of Ancestors, cultural items and sacred lands for more than 100 years, including the development of the National Museum of the American Indian Act, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, and the Safeguarding Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act, and other policies and regulations that will support the return and protection of our Cultural Heritage. The Association also provides training and technical assistance to Native Nations and others, and is involved with repatriation of private collections both domestically and internationally from institutions, individuals and auctions.
The Association's Annual Conferences are intended for American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Nations— Native Nation leaders, practitioners, elders and representatives, museums, institutions, government agencies, academics, attorneys, collectors, artists, cultural preservationists and others engaged or interested in the repatriation of cultural heritage. Repatriation is the return of Native American Ancestors and their burial items, as well as the return of tangible and intangible cultural heritage. |
Mother Earth's Prayer for All Life, by Wah-pah-waa-gee, 2016.
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Archive
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Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, Shannon A. Estenoz, and Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, Bryan Newland sharing the Department of Interior's support to protect
Native American Cultural Heritage. |
