Date of Graduation
Winter 12-16-2016
Document Access
Project/Capstone - Global access
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Museum Studies
College/School
College of Arts and Sciences
Department/Program
Museum Studies
First Advisor
Marjorie Schwarzer
Second Advisor
Paula Birnbaum
Abstract
The California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (Cal NAGPRA) became state law in 2001. Its purpose was to create a process whereby California tribes could seek to repatriate human remains and objects from their cultural heritage from museums and custodial institutions. Cal NAGPRA includes a number of shortcomings that have impeded the ability of tribes to successfully reclaim objects from their heritage. The ethical implications of museums retaining cultural objects and human remains, often confiscated from Native peoples or their tribal lands, has been a principal social justice topic of USF’s museum studies program. This capstone describes a legislative advocacy plan to amend Cal NAGPRA to address many of its statutory deficiencies, thereby honoring the spirit of this civil rights law and promoting full implementation of repatriation activities.
Recommended Citation
Turner, Kim, "Improving Cal NAGPRA: Honoring Native American Rights" (2016). Master's Projects and Capstones. 442.
https://repository.usfca.edu/capstone/442
