Affirming UCSB’s Commitment to UC Native American Cultural Affiliation and Repatriation Policy

TO: UC Santa Barbara Campus Community

FR: Garry Mac Pherson, Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services

RE: Affirming UCSB’s Commitment to UC Native American Cultural Affiliation and Repatriation Policy
 

In January 2022, the University of California finalized its Policy on Native American Cultural Affiliation and Repatriation, reaffirming our commitment to repatriation and compliance with this significant legal and ethical responsibility. This policy aligns with the California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (CalNAGPRA) and the federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (collectively referred to as NAGPRA from here on out). I want to emphasize UC Santa Barbara’s unwavering commitment to these laws and the principles of the UC policy, and I ask for your attention to ensure our campus fully complies with this cultural heritage and human rights initiative.

Key Points:

1. Systematic Review:
   The campus is required to conduct a thorough review to identify and report any Native American human remains or cultural items (both archaeological and ethnographic) under the University of California’s control, or under the control of another entity and in the physical care of UC Santa Barbara, including UC faculty, emeriti, staff and students.

   • Native American means of, or relating to, a tribe, people, or culture indigenous to the Unites States, including Alaska and Hawaii.

   • Cultural items mean a funerary object, sacred object, or object of cultural patrimony according to the Native American traditional knowledge of a lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization. Cultural items are typically identified during consultation between a lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization and the museum, university, or agency in control of a given collection.
      

2. Restrictions:
   NAGPRA restricts the use of Native American human remains or cultural items in exhibitions, research, or teaching without Tribal approval. Examples of what is restricted without Tribal permissions include, but is not limited to:

   • Using Native skeletal remains for instructional purposes in biology courses.

   • Utilizing Native cultural items, such as ceramics, stones, animal bones, for teaching or research.

   • Showcasing Native basketry for instruction or exhibition.
      

3. Tribal Approval:
   Tribal permission is necessary for any Native American human remains or cultural items on campus, whether UC-controlled or on loan and brought to campus.

Resources:

• UC's Native American Cultural Affiliation and Repatriation Policy: ucal.us/nagpra

• UC Santa Barbara NAGPRA Information: nagpra.ucsb.edu

• NAGPRA Repatriation of Human Remains or Cultural Items: 43 CFR Subpart C

• NAGPRA Duty of Care: 43 CFR 10.1(d)

If you or others that you know of possess Native American human remains or cultural items, please contact our Repatriation Coordinator, Hugh Radde, at hradde@ucsb.edu  or (805) 893-3525 for assistance with the consultation or permissions process.

Thank you for helping uphold our commitment to this crucial initiative.