Has NAGPRA Helped or Hindered Relationships Between Native Americans and Anthropologists?

Michael J. Evans and Richard W. Stoffle

In 1990 the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act became law. Opposition to this law was widespread and vocal prior to its passage. Today, five years later, opposition remains strong, but has become more “passive-aggressive” than the active-vocal opposition voiced during the debate of the proposed bill. This paper will highlight how NAGPRA has fundamentally changed the way museums and Federal agencies manage museum collections and conduct archaeology on Federal lands, and how NAGPRA has changed the relationships between Native Americans and anthropologists.

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