The Commodification of Native American Remains: The Use of Native American Remains within Educational Institutions and the Implementation of NAGPRA

Authors

Molly Nowak, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

First Advisor

William Belcher

Second Advisor

Carrie Heitman

Date of this Version

Spring 5-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Citation

Nowak, M. 2025. The Commodification of Native American Remains: The Use of Native American Remains within Educational Institutions and the Implementation of NAGPRA. Undergraduate Honors Thesis. University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Comments

Copyright Molly Nowak 2025

Abstract

Indigenous communities have been commodified within educational institutions such as museums, universities, and governmental agencies throughout American history. Unethical collection practices have allowed for a disproportionate representation of Indigenous remains and materials within educational institutions. Indigenous bodies, funerary objects, religious materials, and other important cultural materials have been stolen from their communities and used for scientific discovery and education. The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), passed in 1990, created legal protections for Indigenous graves and remains and instigates the return of the stolen materials. This project reviews the historical contexts behind the collection of Indigenous remains, the legislation surrounding Indigenous remains and materials, the implementation of NAGPRA and the complications and complexities discovered after 30 years of active use. NAGRPA is an imperfect system and requires continuous observance and updates in order to effectively return the stolen materials to Indigenous communities. There are many improvements that can be made, including expanding definitions, expanding scope, and incorporating more indigenous perspectives.

Key Words: Native American, Indigenous, Indian, Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, NAGPRA, commodification, exploitation, stolen, legislation,