Exploring NAGPRA Best Practices in Evaluating Non-Human Animal Remains in Federally Funded Museums

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Animal Matters: Ethics in Zooarchaeology from Discovery to Display" session, at the 90th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

My dissertation project explores the treatment of non-human animal remains within the framework of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). Despite growing recognition of the cultural and historical significance of certain animal remains among Native American descendant communities, NAGPRA lacks explicit provisions for these entities. Specifically, my project focuses on what factors should be considered when dealing with archaeologically recovered animal remains from special and unique contexts (e.g., animal burials) within the framework of assessments under NAGPRA. Currently, I am compiling a dataset on special and unique context animal remains from existing literature to inform questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (THPOs) and museum professionals regarding this topic. My work aims to evaluate the alignment of current museum practices with Indigenous perspectives and determine whether these practices are commensurate with the views of THPOs from Southeastern U.S. Tribal Nations. Broadly, my research goals are to enhance process and procedure regarding the effective implementation of NAGPRA practice, as well as foster a more equitable approach to repatriation and promote Indigenous data sovereignty in museum contexts.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Animal Matters: Ethics in Zooarchaeology from Discovery to Display   •
• Society for American Archaeology 90th Annual Meeting, Denver, CO (2025)

Keywords

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 51047