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Repatriation
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Repatriation

Letters and Comments

This page contains digital facsimiles of documents pertinent to the Society for American Archaeology's involvement in repatriation matters in the United States, mostly at the Federal level. Included are all of SAA's official letters and comments, as well as ancillary documents that help trace the history of this involvement. The archive is divided into five sections as follows:

A.   Comments on Legislation
  1. Native American Cultural Preservation Act (S. 187): Hearing before the Select Committee on Indian Affairs, United States Senate (February 20, 1987). (Page numbers refer to published proceedings of Senate Hearing 100-90, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1987.)
    • SAA oral testimony, with Q & A (pp. 55-65). [PDF]
    • SAA written statement on S. 187 (pp. 176-179). [PDF]
    • SAA written statement on S. 187 (pp. 180-182). [PDF] 
  2. National American Indian Museum Act (S. 1722 and S.1723): Joint Hearing before the Select Committee on Indian Affairs, United States Senate, and the Committee on Rules and Administration, United States Senate (November 18, 1987). (Page numbers refer to published proceedings of Senate Hearing 100-547, Part 2, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1988.)
    • SAA written statement on S. 1722 and S. 1723 (pp. 98-101). [PDF] 
  3. Historic Preservation Administration Act of 1989 (S. 1578) and the National Historic Preservation Policy Act of 1989 (S. 1579): Hearings before the Subcommittee on Public Lands, National Parks, and Forests of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate (February 22 and May 19, 1990). (Page numbers refer to published proceedings of Senate Hearing 101-721, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1990.)
    • SAA oral testimony, February 22, 1990 (pp. 159-160). [PDF]
    • SAA written statement on S. 1978 and S. 1979 (pp. 161-163). [PDF]
    • SAA written analysis of archaeological provisions of S. 1978 and S. 1979 (pp. 164-171). [PDF] 
  4. Native American Grave and Burial Protection Act (S. 1021), Native American Repatriation of Cultural Patrimony Act (S. 1980), and  Heard Museum Report: Hearing before the Select Committee on Indian Affairs, United States Senate (May 14, 1990). (Page numbers refer to published proceedings of Senate Hearing 101-952, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1990.)
    • SAA oral testimony (pp. 68-74). [PDF]
    • Lynne Goldstein et al. written statement regarding the Heard Museum Panel (pp. 367-369). [PDF]
    • SAA written statement on S. 1980 (pp. 529-532). [PDF]
    • SAA written comments on S. 1980 (pp. 533-541). [PDF]
    • SAA written statement on the value of skeletal studies for medical research (pp. 542-543). [PDF] 
  5. Protection of Native American Graves and the Repatriation of Human Remains and Sacred Objects (H.R 1381, H.R. 1646, and H.R. 5237 ): Hearing before the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, House of Representatives (July 17, 1990). (Page numbers refer to published proceedings of House of Representatives Hearing 101-62, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1991.)
    • SAA oral testimony (pp. 136-138). [PDF]
    • SAA written statement on H.R. 5237, H.R. 1646, and H.R. 1381 (pp. 139-143). [PDF]
    • SAA detailed analysis of H.R. 5237 (pp. 144-148). [PDF]
    • Lynne Goldstein written statement (pp. 149-151). [PDF]
    • SAA oral testimony, continued, with Q & A (pp. 229-234). [PDF] 
  6. Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act (S. 1980): Correspondence with Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs.
    • SAA, NCAI, NARF, and AAIA memorandum to Steve Heeley and Lurleen McGregor, committee staff, regarding suggested changes to draft of July 30, 1990 (September 12, 1990). [PDF] 
  7. Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (H.R. 5237): Letters of support.
    • SAA et al. letter to Rep. Morris K. Udall (October 12, 1990). [PDF]
    • American Association of Museums letter (October 12, 1990). [PDF]
    • SAA et al. letter to President George Bush (November 2, 1990). [PDF] 
  8. Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (P.L. 101-601): Statute and legislative reports.
    • U.S. Senate Report 101-473 (September 26, 1990). [PDF]
    • U.S. House Report 101-877 (October 15, 1990). [PDF]
    • Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (November 16, 1990). [PDF] 
  9. Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (P.L. 101-601): Funding Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Interior, Committee on Appropriations, United States House of Representatives (February 26, 1992).
    • AAM, AAU, NCSHPO, NARF, SAA, and SHA written statement. [PDF] 
  10. Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (P.L. 101-601): Funding Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Interior, Committee on Appropriations, United States House of Representatives (March 24, 1993). (Page numbers refer to published  proceedings of Senate Hearing 103-198, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1993.)
    • AAM, AAU, NCSHPO, NARF, SAA, and SHA written statement (pp. 98-102). [PDF] 
  11. Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (P.L. 101-601): Oversight Hearing Before the Committee on Indian Affairs, United States Senate (May 27, 1993). (Page numbers refer to published proceedings of Senate Hearing 103-198, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1993.)
    • AAM written statement (pp. 93-97). [PDF]
    • AAM, AAU, NCSHPO, NARF, SAA, and SHA written statement (pp. 98-102). [PDF] 
  12. Correspondence with Congressional subcommittees regarding funding for NAGPRA implementation (1993).
    • AAM, SAA et al. letter to Rep. Sidney Yates, chairman, House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee (September 1, 1993). [PDF]
    • AAM, SAA et al. letter to Sen. Robert Byrd, chairman, Senate Interior and Related Agencies Subcommittee (September 1, 1993). [PDF] 
  13. A Bill to Amend NAGPRA to Provide for Native Hawaiian Organizations, and for Other Purposes (S. 1983).
    • SAA letter to Sen. John McCain, Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, commenting on S. 1983, amendments to NAGPRA (September 16, 1996). [PDF]
    • SAA letter to Rep. Elton Gallegly, Chairman, Subcommittee on Native Americans and Insular Affairs, House Committee on Resources, commenting on S. 1983, amendments to NAGPRA (September 17, 1996). [PDF] 
  14. Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (P.L. 101-601): Oversight Hearing Before the Committee on Indian Affairs, United States Senate (December 6, 1995). (See published proceedings of Senate Hearing 104-399, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1996. SAA statement was not included in this publication.)
    • SAA written statement. [PDF] 
  15. A Bill to Amend NAGPRA to Provide for Improved Notification and Consent, and for Other Purposes (S. 110).
    • SAA letter to Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, commenting on S. 110, amendments to NAGPRA (February 19, 1997). [PDF]
    • SAA's section by section analysis of S. 110 (February 14, 1997). [PDF]
    • SAA letter to Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, clarifying previous letter on S. 110, amendments to NAGPRA (March 21, 1997). [PDF] 
  16. A Bill to Amend NAGPRA to Provide for Improved Notification and Consent, and for Other Purposes (H.R. 749).
    • SAA letter to Rep. Don Young, House Committee on Resources, commenting on H.R. 749, amendments to NAGPRA (March 18, 1997). [PDF]
    • SAA section-by-section analysis of H.R. 749 (March 18, 1997). [PDF]
    • SAA letter to Rep. Neil Abercrombie, commenting on H.R. 749, amendments to NAGPRA (April 21, 1997). [PDF] 
  17. A Bill to Amend NAGPRA to Provide for Appropriate Study and Repatriation of Remains for which a Cultural Affiliation Is Not Readily Ascertainable (H.R. 2893). [PDF]
    • SAA Comment on H.R. 2893, a bill to amend NAGPRA (November, 1997). [PDF]
    • SAA Analysis of H.R. 2893, a bill to amend NAGPRA (November 18, 1997). [PDF]
    • Marked-up text of NAGPRA, reflecting amendments proposed in H.R. 2893 (November, 1997). [PDF]
    • SAA questions and answers regarding H.R. 2893, a bill to amend NAGPRA (December 8, 1997). [PDF]
    • SAA letter to Rep. Don Young, House Committee on Resources, commenting on H.R. 2893, amendments to NAGPRA (February 10, 1998). [PDF] 
  18. A Bill to Amend NAGPRA (H.R. 2893): Hearing before the House Committee on Resources (June 10, 1998).
    • SAA and SHA oral testimony. [PDF]
    • SAA and SHA written testimony. [PDF]
    • AAPA written testimony. [PDF]
    • Department of the Interior written testimony. [PDF] 
  19. Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (P.L. 101-601): Oversight Hearing before the Committee on Indian Affairs, United States Senate (April 20, 1999). (Page numbers refer to published proceedings of Senate Hearing 106-57, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1999.)
    • SAA oral testimony, with Q & A (pp. 42-52) [PDF]
    • SAA and AAPA written statement (pp. 154-158) [PDF]
    • SAA letter to Sec. Bruce Babbitt regarding extensions for NAGPRA inventories (pp. 159-160) [PDF]
    • SAA letter to Sec. Bruce Babbitt regarding legal issues in NAGPRA implementation (pp. 161-163) [PDF]
    • SAA letter to Sen. Daniel Inouye regarding cultural affiliation (pp. 164-166) [PDF] 
  20. Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (P.L. 101-601): Oversight Hearing before the Committee on Indian Affairs, United States Senate (July 25, 2000). (Page numbers refer to published proceedings of Senate Hearing 106-708, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 2000.)
    • SAA oral testimony, with Q & A (pp. 41-48) [PDF]
    • SAA and AAPA written statement (pp. 127-132) [PDF]
    • SAA additional written statement (pp. 133-135) [PDF] 
  21. California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (A.B. 978).
    • SAA letter to Rep. Darrell Steinberg, California State Assembly, regarding A.B. 978, California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (June 7, 2001). [PDF]
    • SAA letter to Rep. Darrell Steinberg, California State Assembly, regarding A.B. 978, California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (July 18, 2001). [PDF] 
  22. Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (P.L. 101-601): Funding Hearing Before the Subcommittee on the Interior, Committee on Appropriations, United States House of Representatives (April 5, 2002).
    • AAM, AAU, SHA, SAA, and NARF written statement. [PDF] 
  23. American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-341): Oversight Hearing before the Committee on Indian Affairs, United States Senate (July 14, 2004).
    • SAA written statement [PDF]
    • SAA additional written statement [PDF] 
  24. Native American Technical Corrections Act (S. 2843)
    • SAA Statement on Proposed NAGPRA Amendment (October 5, 2004). [PDF] 
  25. Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (P.L. 101-601): Funding Hearing Before the Subcommittee on the Interior, Committee on Appropriations, United States House of Representatives (March 18, 2005).
    • AAM and SAA written statement. [PDF] 
  26. Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (P.L. 101-601): Oversight Hearing on a Proposed Amendment (S. 536, Section 108) before the Committee on Indian Affairs, United States Senate (July 28, 2005).
    • SAA written statement [PDF]
    • AAPA written statement [PDF]
    • DOI written statement [PDF] 
  27. A Bill to Amend NAGPRA so that it will be interpreted in accordance with the original intent of Congress to        require a significant relationship be found between remains discovered on Federal lands and presently existing Native American tribes for those remains to be applicable under NAGPRA (H.R. 6043). (Introduced by Mr. Hastings on September 7, 2006.) [Thomas] [PDF] 

  28. Native American Omnibus Technical Corrections Act of 2007 (S. 2087). [Section 2 amends the definition of "Native American" in NAGPRA.] (Introduced by Mr. Dorgan and Mr. McCain on September 25, 2007.) [Thomas] [ PDF] 

  29. A Bill to Amend NAGPRA so that it will be interpreted in accordance with the original intent of Congress to require a significant relationship be found between remains discovered on Federal lands and presently existing Native American tribes for those remains to be applicable under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (H.R. 4027). (Introduced by Mr. Hastings on October 31, 2007.) [Thomas] [ PDF] 

  30. SAA testimony at House Natural Resources Committee oversight hearing on NAGPRA implementation (October 7, 2009) [PDF]

  31. SAA testimony at House Appropriations Committee hearing regarding FY2011 NAGPRA Grants Program funding (March 19, 2010) [PDF]

  32. SAA testimony for Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing on achieving policy goals of NAGPRA (June 29, 2011) [PDF]

  33. SAA testimony on S. 1400, the STOP Act (November 8, 2017). [PDF]
  34. Rep. Haaland legislation (H.R. 8298) to move NAGPRA to BIA (September 17, 2020). [PDF]

  35. SAA testimony for Senate Indian Affairs Committee oversight hearing (February 15, 2022) [PDF]
  1. NPS advisory memorandum on the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (1991).
    • NPS first draft, "Interim Guidelines for the Implementation of NAGPRA" (June 4, 1991). [PDF]
    • SAA comments on first draft (June 11, 1991). [PDF]
    • NPS second draft, "Advisory Memorandum Regarding the Implementation of NAGPRA" (June 29, 1991). [PDF]
    • SAA comments on second draft (July 5, 1991). [PDF]
    • NPS final memorandum, "The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act" (October 30, 1991). [PDF]
      • Appendix A: Advisory Council on Historic Preservation memorandum on the the relationship between section 106 of NHPA and NAGPRA (July 7, 1991). [PDF]
      • Appendix B: NPS memorandum on the establishment of servicewide procedures for responding to notifications under Public Law 93-291 (December 18, 1984). [PDF]
      • Appendix C: Charter for NAGPRA Review Committee (August 2, 1991). [PDF] 
  2. Unpublished draft NAGPRA regulations (1992-93).
    • NPS draft 3 (April 21, 1992). [PDF]
    • SAA comments on draft 3 (May 31, 1992). [PDF]
    • NPS draft 4 (October 20, 1992). [PDF]
    • SAA comments on draft 4 (January 13, 1993). [PDF] 
  3. NPS guidance on NAGPRA implementation (1993).
    • NPS memorandum on "Summaries, Inventories, and Notification Under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990" (January 13, 1993). [PDF] 
  4. Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act regulations, 43 CFR 10 (1993-1997).
    • Proposed rules, Federal Register, Vol. 58, No. 102, pp. 31123-31134 (May 28, 1993). [PDF]
    • SAA comments on proposed rules (July 20, 1993). [PDF]
    • Final regulations, Federal Register, Vol. 60, No. 232, pp. 62133-62169 (December 4, 1995). [PDF]
    • Correcting amendments to final regulations, Federal Register, Vol. 62, No. 148, pp. 41292-41294 (August 1, 1997). [PDF] 
  5. Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act regulations on civil penalties, 43 CFR 10.12 (1997-2003).
    • Interim rule, Federal Register, Vol. 62, No. 8, pp. 1819-1823 (January 13, 1997). [PDF]
    • SAA comments on interim rule (April 14, 1997). [PDF]
    • Final regulations, Federal Register, Vol. 68, No. 64, pp. 16354-16364 (April 3, 2003). [PDF] 
  6. Unpublished draft NAGPRA regulations on disposition of culturally unidentifiable human remains (43 CFR 10.11) and future applicability (43 CFR 10.13), distributed and discussed at the NAGPRA Review Committee Meeting in Tulsa, Oklahoma (May, 2002).
  7. NPS guidance on NAGPRA implementation (2002).
    • National Park System Advisory Board report on "Recommendations Regarding the National Park Service Process for Making Determinations of Cultural Affiliation under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act" (June 12, 2002). [PDF] 
  8. NPS initial consultation with SAA regarding the development of NAGPRA regulations on the disposition of unclaimed human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony (43 CFR 10.7) (April, 2004).
    • NPS letter to Lynne Sebastian, inviting SAA to consult (April 1, 2004). [PDF]
    • NPS handouts presented at consultation meeting with SAA (April 19, 2004). [PDF] 
  9. Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act regulations on future applicability, 43 CFR 10.13 (2004-2005).
    • Proposed rule, Federal Register, Vol. 69, No. 202, pp. 61613-61615 (October 20, 2004).[PDF]
    • SAA comments on proposed rule (January 17, 2005). [PDF] 
  10. Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act regulations, technical amendment that reassigns responsibilities for implementation, 43 CFR 10 (September 30, 2005).
    • Final rule, Federal Register, Vol. 70, No. 189, pp. 57177-57179 (September 30, 2005). [PDF] 
  11. NPS second consultation with SAA regarding the development of NAGPRA regulations on the disposition of unclaimed human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony (43 CFR 10.7) (2005).
    • Notice of consultation meeting, Federal Register, Vol. 70, No. 194, pp. 58741-58742 (October 7, 2005). [PDF]
    • SAA comments on proposed rule (November 28, 2005). [PDF] 
  12. NPS guidance on NAGPRA implementation (2006).
    • NPS Cultural Resource Management Guideline, Appendix R: Guidance for National Park Service Compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (May, 2006). [PDF]
      • Sample memorandum of agreement. [PDF]
      • Sample plan of action, inadvertent discovery (in situ protection). [PDF]
      • Sample plan of action, inadvertent discovery (recovery and transfer). [PDF]
      • Sample plan of action, planned excavation. [PDF] 
  13. NPS third consultation with SAA regarding the development of NAGPRA regulations on the disposition of unclaimed human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony (43 CFR 10.7) (2007).
    • Notice of consultation meeting, Federal Register, Vol. 72, No. 69, pp. 18192-18193 (April 11, 2007). [PDF]
    • SAA comments on proposed rule (April 18, 2007). [PDF] 
  14. Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act regulations on disposition of culturally unidentifiable human remains, 43 CFR 10.11 (2007-2008).
    • Proposed rule, Federal Register, Vol. 72, No. 199, pp. 58282-58590 (October 16, 2007). [PDF]
    • AAPA position statement on proposed rule (October 26, 2007). [PDF]
    • SAA position statement on proposed rule (November 10, 2007). [PDF]
    • SAA news release on proposed rule (December 7, 2007). [PDF]
    • SAA comments on proposed rule (January 14, 2008).
      • SAA letter to Sherry Hutt, Manager, National NAGPRA Program, NPS [PDF]
      • SAA detailed comments [PDF]
  15. Department of Interior Publishes Culturally Unidentifiable Human Remains Final Rule (March 15, 2010)
    • Final rule [PDF]
    • SAA comments on Final Rule (May 11, 2010). [PDF]
  16. National NAGPRA announces public comment period for retrospective review of NAGPRA regulations (May 19, 2011)
    • SAA comments (June 29, 2011). [PDF]
  17. SAA files comments on technical corrections to NAGPRA regulations (June 14, 2012). [PDF]

  18. NPS publishes technical revisions to NAGPRA regulations (May 9, 2013). [PDF]

  19. SAA comments on NPS proposed regulations on disposition of unclaimed human remains and funerary objects (December 29, 2013). [PDF]

  20. SAA comments on draft NAGPRA dispute resolution procedures (November 14, 2014). [PDF]

  21. NPS publishes final rule on disposition of unclaimed human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, or objects of cultural property (November 5, 2015). [PDF]
  22. SAA letter to National NAGPRA Program
  23. SAA comments on draft changes to NAGPRA regulations (March 15, 2022). [PDF]

  24. NPS publishes revised proposed changes to NAGPRA regulations (October 18, 2022). [PDF]

  25. NPS publishes final rule on revised NAGPRA regulations (December 11, 2023). [PDF]

  26. SAA comments on revised draft changes to NAGPRA regulations (January 6, 2023). [PDF]
    • SAA fact sheet on new regulations. [PDF]

 

  1. Correspondence with NAGPRA Review Committee regarding the committee's consideration of unaffiliated and unclaimed remains and cultural items (1995).
    • SAA letter to Tessie Naranjo, chair (February 10, 1995). [PDF] 
  2. Draft Recommendations Regarding the Disposition of Culturally Unidentifiable Human Remains and Associated Funerary Objects. Federal Register, Vol. 60, No. 118, pp. 32163-32165 (1995).
    • NPS memorandum with initial draft (May 16, 1995). [PDF 1] [PDF 2]
    • Published Federal Register notice (June 20, 1995). [PDF]
    • SAA comments (September 26, 1995). [PDF]
    • SAA letter to Tessie Naranjo, chair, NAGPRA Review Committee (September 26, 1995). [PDF]
    • SAA letter to Francis P. McManamon, National Park Service (September 26, 1995). [PDF] 
  3. Draft Recommendations Regarding the Disposition of Culturally Unidentifiable Human Remains and Associated Funerary Objects.Federal Register, Vol. 61, No. 162, pp. 43071-43073 (1996).
    • Published Federal Register notice (August 20, 1996). [PDF]
    • SAA comments (October 9, 1996). [PDF]
    • SAA letter to Tessie Naranjo, chair, NAGPRA Review Committee (October 9, 1996). [PDF] 
  4. Correspondence with NAGPRA Review Committee regarding recommendations on culturally unidentifiable human remains (1997).
    • Tessie Naranjo letter to AAM et al. (February 12, 1997). [PDF]
    • SAA response to Naranjo letter of February 12, 1997 (February 17, 1997). [PDF]
    • Naranjo response to SAA letter of February 17, 1997 (March 13, 1997). [PDF] 
  5. Notice of Draft Principles of Agreement Regarding the Disposition of Culturally Unidentifiable Human Remains. Federal Register, Vol. 64, No. 145, pp. 41135-41136. (1999).
    • Published Federal Register notice (July 29, 1999). [PDF]
    • AAPA comments (August 11, 1999). [PDF]
    • SAA comments (August 30, 1999). [PDF]
    • Final recommendations (June 8, 2000). [PDF] 
  6. Public comment regarding the development of NAGPRA regulations on the disposition of unclaimed human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony (43 CFR 10.7), delivered at the NAGPRA Review Committee meeting in Washington, DC (April 19-20, 2007).
    • SAA comments (April 20, 2007). [PDF]
  7. Department of Interior announces new Repatriation Review Committee members (April 28, 2011). [PDF]

  8. Secretary of Interior announces new members of NAGPRA Review Committee (November 9, 2015). [PDF]
  9. SAA letter to National NAGPRA manager on Review Committee meeting process (January 20, 2016). [PDF]
  10. SAA letter to National NAGPRA manager on Repatriation Review Committee issues (February 2, 2016). [PDF]
  11. SAA letter to National NAGPRA manager on DFO issues and Review Committee (September 12, 2016). [PDF]

  12. SAA nominates Dr. Vin Steponaitis to the Smithsonian Institution's Native American Repatriation Review Committee (February 4, 2016). [PDF]

  13. SAA letter to National NAGPRA Program on March 2017 meeting (October 11, 2017). [PDF]

  14. SAA letter to Secretary Zinke requesting reinstatement of National NAGPRA Review Committee (October 12, 2017). [PDF]

  15. SAA letter to National NAGPRA manager on Review Committee matters (December 7, 2017). [PDF]

  16. SAA nominates two to the National NAGPRA Review Committee (May 30, 2018). [PDF]
  17. SAA letter to National NAGPRA manager on further Review Committee issues (August 15, 2019). [PDF]
  18. SAA, AAA, AIA nominate three to National NAGPRA Review Committee (August 28, 2019). [PDF]

  19. SAA nominates McManamon, Raff to National NAGPRA Review Committee (June 9, 2022). [PDF]
  1. Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, policy and guidance on the treatment of human remains and grave goods (1988).
    • Policy Statement Regarding Treatment of Human Remains and Grave Goods (September 27, 1988). [PDF]
    • Policy Interpretation Memorandum 89-1, Treatment of Human Remains and Grave Goods (December 1, 1988). [PDF] 
  2. Correspondence with the Department of the Interior regarding key issues in implementing NAGPRA: funding, review committee, and regulation drafting (1991).
    • AAM, SAA et al. letter to Manuel Lujan, Secretary of the Interior (August 27, 1991). [PDF] 
  3. Correspondence with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers requesting that the agency fund a detailed study of the Kennewick skeleton for the purposes of determining cultural affiliation (1996-97).
    • SAA letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (September 16, 1996). [PDF]
    • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers response to SAA letter of September 16, 1996 (January 24, 1997). [PDF] 
  4. Correspondence with National Park Service regarding proposed reburial of human remains and cultural items from Chaco Culture National Historical Park and Aztec Ruins National Monument (1997).
    • SAA letter to Charles Wilson, Superintendent, Chaco Culture National Historical Park (July 30, 1997). [PDF]
    • SAA letter to Charles B. Cooper, Superintendent, Aztec Ruins National Monument (July 30, 1997). [PDF]
    • NPS response to SAA letters of July 30, 1997 (September 3, 1997). [PDF] 
  5. Correspondence with USDA Forest Service and Arizona State Museum regarding USDA's 1996 publication called Cultural Affiliation: Prehistoric Cultural Affiliations of Southwestern Indian Tribes (1997).
    • SAA letter to Charles Cartwright, Regional Forester, Southwest Region, USDA Forest Service (July 30, 1997). [PDF]
    • USDA Forest Service response to SAA letter of July 30, 1997 (September 17, 1997). [PDF]
    • SAA followup to USDA response of September 17, 1997 (December 1, 1997). [PDF]
    • Arizona State Museum response to SAA letter of July 30, 1997 (August 18, 1997). [PDF]
    • SAA followup to Arizona State Museum response of August 18, 1997 (September 17, 1997). [PDF] 
  6. Correspondence with the Department of the Interior regarding museum requests for extensions for NAGPRA inventories (1999).
    • SAA letter to Bruce Babbitt, Secretary of the Interior (April 6, 1999). [PDF] 
  7. Correspondence with the Department of the Interior requesting legal review of critical issues in the implementation of NAGPRA (1999-2000).
    • SAA letter to Bruce Babbitt, Secretary of the Interior (April 13, 1999).[PDF]
    • Department of Interior response to SAA letter of April 13, 1999 (January 6, 2000). [PDF] 
  8. Responses to the Secretary of the Interior's September 21, 2000 determination of cultural affiliation for Kennewick Man (2000).
    • SAA position paper (October 14, 2000). [PDF]
    • AAPA statement (October 20, 2000).[PDF] 
  9. Correspondence with the National Park Service regarding NAGPRA compliance and other matters (2002).
    • SAA letter to Katherine H. Stevenson (February 5, 2002). [PDF]
    • SAA letter to Robert Stearns (February 5, 2002).[PDF] 
  10. Correspondence with the National Park Service regarding Department of the Interior's authority to issue regulations concerning culturally unidentifiable human remains under NAGPRA (2002).
    • SAA letter to Robert Stearns and Katherine H. Stevenson (February 7, 2002). [PDF]
    • National Park Sevice response to SAA letter of February 7, 2002 (March 8, 2002). [PDF] 
  11. Correspondence with the National Park Service regarding ongoing efforts to move the National NAGPRA Office (2002).
    • SAA letter to Katherine H. Stevenson (September 20, 2002). [PDF] 
  12. Correspondence with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation regarding the Buckeye Knoll site, 41VT98, Victoria County, Texas (2002-03).
    • SAA letter to Col. Leonard D. Waterworth, U.S. Army COE (April 2, 2002). [PDF]
    • SAA letter to Col. Leonard D. Waterworth, U.S. Army COE (October 1, 2002). [PDF]
    • SAA letter to Don L. Klima, ACHP (October 21, 2002). [PDF]
    • U.S. Army COE response (November 15, 2002). [PDF]
    • ACHP response (November 27, 2002). [PDF]
    • SAA letter to Col. Leonard D. Waterworth, U.S. Army COE (May 2, 2003). [PDF]
    • U.S. Army COE letter to Lawrence Oaks, Texas SHPO (July 15, 2003). [PDF]
    • U.S. Army COE letter to Don L. Klima, ACHP (July 15, 2003). [PDF]
    • Statement of Findings, U.S. Army Engineer District, Galveston (July 15, 2003). [PDF]
    • Final Treatment Plan, Human Remains and Archeological Materials from the Buckeye Knoll Site (July 15, 2003). [PDF] 
  13. Correspondence with the Federal Highway Administration regarding the Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges Project (2002).
    • SAA letter to Jose Sepulveda and John Baxter, Division Administrators, FHWA (December 3, 2002). [PDF] 
  14. Correspondence with the National Park Service regarding reorganization of the Archeology and Ethnography Program (2004).
    • SAA letter to Jan Matthews, Associate Director, Cultural Resources (September 24, 2004). [PDF] 
  15. Correspondence with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation concerning archaeological issues to receive priority consideration and action by ACHP (2004-2007).
    • ACHP letter to SAA President Lynne Sebastian, inviting SAA comments (May 28, 2004). [PDF]
    • SAA response to ACHP Executive Director John Fowler (July 9, 2004). [PDF]
    • ACHP update on Archaeology Task Force activities, from Office of Federal Agency Programs (April 29, 2005). [PDF]
    • ACHP update on Archaeology Task Force activities, from Julia A. King (July 19, 2005). [PDF]
    • ACHP update on Archaeology Task Force activities, from Office of Federal Agency Programs (July 22, 2005). [PDF]
      • Attachment 1: Draft consultation plan for revising ACHP's human remains policy. [PDF]
      • Attachment 2: Draft "working principles" for revising ACHP's human remains policy. [PDF]
    • Published Federal Register notice: Working Principles for Revising the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s "Policy Statement Regarding Treatment of Human Remains and Grave Goods" (September 1, 2005). [PDF]
    • ACHP update on Archaeology Task Force activities, from Julia A. King (September 2, 2005). [PDF]
    • SAA comments on draft "working principles" for revising ACHP's human remains policy (October 24, 2005). [PDF]
    • NPS comments on draft "working principles" for revising ACHP's human remains policy (November 4, 2005). [PDF]
    • ACHP update on Archaeology Task Force activities, from Julia A. King (January 24, 2006). [PDF]
    • Published Federal Register notice: Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s Draft "Policy Statement Regarding Treatment of  Burial Sites, Human Remains and Funerary Objects" (March 14, 2006). [PDF]
    • SAA comments on ACHP's draft "Policy Statement Regarding Treatment of Burial Sites, Human Remains and Funerary Objects" (June 26, 2006). [PDF]
    • ACHP letter inviting comments on latest draft of "Policy Statement Regarding Treatment of Burial Sites, Human Remains and Funerary Objects" (December 20, 2006). [PDF]
    • SAA comments on latest draft of "Policy Statement Regarding Treatment of Burial Sites, Human Remains and Funerary Objects" (January 26, 2007). [PDF]
    • ACHP final "Policy Statement Regarding Treatment of Burial Sites, Human Remains and Funerary Objects" (adopted February 23, 2007). [PDF]
  16. GAO report on implementation of NAGPRA by federal agencies (July 28, 2010) [PDF]
  17. Department of the Interior announces change of definition of 'Indian Tribe' for purposes of NAGPRA (July 5, 2011) [PDF]
  18. Letter to National NAGPRA Program regarding Notices of Inventory Completion (January 16, 2015) [PDF]
  19. Follow up letter to National NAGPRA Program on Notices of Inventory Completion (March 13, 2015) [PDF]
  20. Letter to National NAGPRA Program on needed changes in oversight and implementation (August 31, 2015) [PDF]
  21. Response letter from Dr. Toothman on NAGPRA oversight and implementation (September 18, 2015) [PDF]
  22. Letters to National NAGPRA and NPS on NAGPRA moving forward (October 8, 2015) [PDF-1] [PDF-2]


    1. SAA Position on the Kennewick Controversy (March 20, 1998). [PDF] 
    2. Motion of the SAA for Leave to Appear as Amicus Curiae, Bonnichsen et al. v. United States, Civil Case No. 96-1481-JE (December 11, 2000).
      • SAA motion (December 11, 2000). [PDF]
      • SAA memorandum in support of motion (December 11, 2000). [PDF] 
    3. SAA's amicus curiae submission, Bonnichsen et al. v. United States, Civil Case No. 96-1481-JE (June 1, 2001).
      • SAA memorandum of law (June 1, 2001). [PDF]
      • Affidavit of Robert Kelly in support of SAA memorandum of law (May 30, 2001). [PDF]
        • Exhibit 1: Review of Secretary Babbitt's Final Determination of Cultural Affiliation for Kennewick Man (June 1, 2001). [PDF]
          • Tab A: Brief curriculum vitae for authors of review. [PDF]
          • Tab B: Summary of information used to assess cultural affiliation. [PDF]
          • Tab C: Summary of DOI evidence for cultural continuity. [PDF]
        • Exhibit 2: SAA correspondence concerning NAGPRA and cultural affiliation. [PDF] 
    4. FAQs on SAA's amicus curiae brief in the Kennewick case (June, 2001). [PDF]
    5. Opinion and Order, Bonnichsen et al. vs. United States, Civil Case No. 96-1481-JE. U.S. District Court, District of Oregon (2002).
      • Judge Jelderks's opinion and order (August 30, 2002). [PDF]
      • News release: SAA responds to the Kennewick Man court decision (September 3, 2002). [PDF] 
    6. Motion of the SAA to Participate as Amicus Curiae and Motion for Extension of Time to File an Amicus Curiae Brief, Bonnichsen et al. v. United States, 9th Circuit Nos. 02-35994 and 02-35996, Companion Appeals (June 2, 2003).
      • SAA letter to U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit (June 2, 2003). [PDF]
      • SAA motion to participate as amicus curiae (June 2, 2003). [PDF]
      • SAA motion for extension of time to file an amicus curiae brief (June 2, 2003). [PDF] 
    7. SAA's amicus curiae submission, Bonnichsen et al. v. United States, 9th Circuit Nos. 02-35994 and 02-35996, Companion Appeals (June 11, 2003).
      • SAA letter to U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit (June 11, 2003). [PDF]
      • SAA brief in support of plaintiffs-appellees (June 11, 2003). [PDF] 
    8. Opinion, Bonnichsen et al. vs. United States, Civil Case No. 96-1481-JE. U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit (February 4, 2004).
      • Judge Gould's opinion (February 4, 2004). [PDF] 
    9. Tribal claimants' petition for rehearing en banc, Bonnichsen et al. vs. United States, Civil Case No. 96-1481-JE. U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit (March 17, 2004).
      • Tribal claimants' brief (March 17, 2004). [PDF] 
    10. Amended opinion and order, Bonnichsen et al. vs. United States, Civil Case No. 96-1481-JE. U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit (April 19, 2004).
      • Judge Gould's amended opinion and order denying a rehearing (April 19, 2004). [PDF]
    SAA Repatriation Survey

     

    Statement Concerning the Treatment of Human Remains

    The SAA President and Board acknowledge that the following policy, written in 1989 and last affirmed in 1999, needs updating. Member-led committees currently are working on a full revision as of August 2020, with a target completion date in 2021. Read SAA's policy on the treatment of human remains.

    This archive and its mirror site were created by Vincas P. Steponaitis, with the assistance of R. P. Stephen Davis, Jr., and updated by SAA staff.