Learning by Example: Exploring the Importance of Case Studies in Learning NAGPRA

Summary

Although the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) has existed for over a generation, educators and professionals continue to discuss the best ways to prepare learners for the complex and contextually specific process of repatriation. Every consultation and every repatriation differs, even when the same tribes and institutions are involved. Because of this, learners can benefit from seeing multiple examples of how NAGPRA is implemented and how different stakeholders effect and are affected by the process. As part of the National Science Foundation funded Learning NAGPRA Project, researchers asked students in Anthropology and Museum Studies programs to suggest helpful resources. The results of this online survey showed that learners are eager for examples beyond the Ancient One (Kennewick Man) repatriation case, but a working group aimed at collecting and creating case studies experienced several challenges in preparing new material for public access. This presentation overviews why and what types of NAGPRA case studies are beneficial and the challenges and outcomes of creating educational materials on sensitive, complex issues.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 83rd Annual Meeting, Washington, DC (2018)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 21468