Articulation of bone identification with native American beliefs, civil authority, and military installation management

Abstract

The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) reflects the unique relationship between the federal government and Native American Indian nations by increasing their jurisdiction over disposition and treatment of ancestral human remains and related artifacts. Native American Indians who believe that curation and study are not appropriate treatment for the dead obtained explicit legal protection for unmarked graves. The challenge faced by installation commanders in complying with NAGPRA and Department of Defense American Indian and Alaska Native Policy (October 1998) is to attain a balance that ensures appropriate treatment of skeletal remains. This includes economical identification of nonhuman remains, efficient interaction with criminal investigators when appropriate, and respectful treatment of Native American remains until correctly repatriated. Fort Polk, Louisiana, and the Caddo Nation serve as an example for clarifying the roles of civil authorities, Indian religious leaders, and scientists.