The NAGPRA and the Geography of Hope

The NAGPRA and the Geography of Hope
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The NAGPRA (National American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act) is perhaps one of the crucial legislations that aim to protect the American heritage. It focuses on the idea that the American human ancestry is sacred and must always be treated with due dignity and respect. However, despite its commitment to the preservation of heritage, several issues still lie with the act itself. Issues that must be addressed in order to keep with its aims of providing better security when it comes to the repatriation of both human remains and cultural items in various parts of the globe. In this article, the author would like to focus on the elements of the Geography of Hope in conducting the analysis, such as; (1) commitment, (2) engagement, (3) respect, and (4) imagination. It is the author’s belief that by focusing on these four elements, the NAGPRA would be more resilient and successful in line with its mandate.[NPS.Gov. 2019. Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. November 22. Accessed April 4, 2021. /subjects/nagpra/index.htm.]
The Geography of Hope
Commitment
The principle of commitment focuses on the idea that such actions and legislations should always be consistent and committed in achieving its goals. As stated earlier, NAGPRA’s aim is to repatriate both human remains and cultural items for preservation. However, studies show that current efforts done by the government are mostly limited to “federally funded institutions” and not private establishments. This decreases the capacity of tribes and the descendants to repatriate their ancestors’ remains for burial in their own grounds. Additionally, the act also fails in its commitment to do its best to be applied in other jurisdictions outside of the country. This is important considering that a significant number of cultural remains are also outside of the country.[Orona, Brittani, and Vanessa Esquivido. 2020. "Continued Disembodiment." Humboldt Journal of Social Relations 42 50-68.]
Engagement
Another important aspect of the geography...