NAGPRA

NAGPRA

Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is in full compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA 43 CFR 10). Prior to November 16, 1993, the university supplied summaries to the National Park Service (NPS), which estimated the number of objects in the collections.  On August 3, 1998, the university submitted to the NPS our NAGPRA Compliance Report, which included remains from nineteen localities.  This report contained documents for the completion of NAGPRA inventory, in order to meet our responsibilities.  At this time, the university diligently notified all potentially affiliated tribal groups on several occasions and scheduled consultation visits. A major collection from the Battle Point Site was repatriated to the Little River Band of Ottawa (LRBOI) in 2002, and has cooperated with the LRBOI, State of Michigan and other entities in the stabilization and preservation of the site.   On September 15, 2010, GVSU submitted to the NPS NAGPRA Program Manager an amendment to the Grand Valley State University NAGPRA Inventory Compliance Report.  Seven localities were added at this time from the original compliance document completed in 1998 discovered in collections, salvage operations and through work with law enforcement agencies.  On November 8, 2010 and February 28, 2011, the university sent out  consultation letters to potentially affiliated tribal groups to initiate conversations.  These letters included an updated inventory summary of human remains, with maps showing the location of sites with human remains to the Michigan tribal groups.  This map was provided to help interested groups determine whether they would like to seek additional information.  Our correspondence was in compliance with our current guidance dated August 23, 2010, which required all unassociated tribal funerary objects, sacred objects, human remains, and objects of cultural patrimony to be inventoried; an item-by-item count and description.    Grand Valley State University has worked closely with several tribal organizations.  We welcome additional inquiries, conversations, and consultation, with concerned tribes and local groups currently seeking federal recognition, to discuss repatriation activities.  Consultations have included phone conversations, letters, e-mail correspondence, and on-site visits. 



Page last modified March 30, 2016