BLM OR-WA Native American Repatriation of Human Remains

The late 19th century was one of the most difficult periods in Native American history in regards to the loss of cultural artifacts and land. As of the year 1990, federal agencies reported having the remains of 14,500 deceased Natives in their possession, which had accumulated since the late 19th century. In this same year Congress enacted the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act which requires the return of remains and associated funerary objects if requested. The overall objective is to comply with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. Individual programs/projects will have one or both of the following objectives: Assist museums with conducting inventories and identification required under sections 3003 and 3004 of this Act; Assist such tribes and organizations in the repatriation of Native American human remains and/or other cultural items to their original ancestral burial sites.