Reckoning with Legacy Exhibits, Data, and Collections

This collection contains the abstracts of the papers presented in the session entitled "Reckoning with Legacy Exhibits, Data, and Collections" at the 90th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

In 2024, updates to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) strengthened the legal and ethical responsibilities of U.S. museum staff regarding Indigenous North American collections. This has inspired many museums to rethink and enhance their exhibits, leading to meaningful discussions on better ways to manage and present these collections. The new regulations have also fostered a more inclusive and collaborative approach to exhibits beyond NAGPRA's scope. Within this context, archaeologists and museum professionals are embracing the opportunity to rethink their research, bringing forward new perspectives and voices through increased collaboration. With NAGPRA now requiring informed consent for research and exhibitions of existing collections, there is a renewed emphasis on responsible stewardship that applies not only to Indigenous North American collections but also to all cultural collections. We share case studies that highlight the challenges faced, the strategies developed to overcome them, and the successes achieved, along with areas that need further improvement. This examination underscores the ethical stewardship required in our work, balancing research goals, Tribal rights, the desires of living communities both within and beyond NAGPRA, and public expectations as we navigate the complexities of managing legacy collections.