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October 21, 2008
Institute of American Indian Arts Hosts Repatriation/NAGPRA Symposium - "The Power of One: The Power of Many"
Contact:
Audrey Dreaver, 505-310-2013 (ph)
adreaver@iaia.edu
Staci Golar, 505-424-2351 (ph)
sgolar@iaia.edu
The Institute of American Indian Arts Indigenous Liberal Studies and Museum Studies programs are hosting a two-day symposium on issues related to repatriation and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) this October 29 and 30 on the IAIA campus. The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days with a special closing dinner and cultural entertainment on October 30. Guest speakers include people working in the area of repatriation such as Dr. James Riding In (Pawnee), Dr. T.J. Ferguson, and Pemina Yellow Bird (Mandan/Hidatsa/Arikara). Presentations, case studies and critical discussion sessions will provide opportunities for participants to hear and respond to the history of repatriation, the current condition of repatriation efforts, NAGPRA compliance and projects focusing on regaining and protecting cultural property and sacred sites. Although the event is free, pre-registration is required as seating is limited. Interested parties may register by contacting Audrey Dreaver at 505-310-2013 or adreaver@iaia.edu.
The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act is a law that provides a process for museums and Federal agencies to return certain Native American cultural items -- human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, or objects of cultural patrimony -- to lineal descendants and culturally affiliated Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations. Its history is rooted in disparate perspectives between Native and non-Native people on the practice by non-Natives of collecting, studying, displaying and interpreting Native American cultures, including human remains and sacred objects. After enduring these practices for hundreds of years, Native protests began with individual voices joining with others to become strong. The power of one became the power of many, and this vocal opposition led to the enactment of NAGPRA in 1990.
It has been nearly twenty years since NAGPRA was passed and many items have been repatriated to tribes. However, many museums, universities and private collectors continue to cling to Native American objects (including human remains and sacred materials), while acquiring new pieces of Native American cultural property for their collections. While there has been significant change in this area, there is still much work to be done around this issue in the 21st century.
The symposium is underwritten by the Woksape Oyate Wisdom of the People Fund. For more information, please call Audrey Dreaver at 505-310-2013 or email adreaver@iaia.edu. For more information about the Institute of American Indian Arts, please visit www.iaia.edu
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IAIA Mission:
To empower creativity and leadership in Native arts and cultures through higher education, lifelong learning and outreach
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