#  Duty of Care for NAGPRA Collections 

 



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The Peabody Museum recognizes its significant role in the colonial history of museum collecting and the ethical imperative to address that legacy and work to repair it. The Peabody upholds the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) as Federal law and promotes NAGPRA as a key mechanism to initiate such repair through dialogue with Indigenous nations. This work includes a concrete commitment to the return of ancestors and their funerary belongings to fulfill the ethical and moral imperative of NAGPRA.

## Duty of Care 

On January 12, 2024 the Department of the Interior introduced [updated regulations](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/12/13/2023-27040/native-american-graves-protection-and-repatriation-act-systematic-processes-for-disposition-or) for the implementation of NAGPRA. These regulations include new “duty of care” requirements that require the Museum to care for, safeguard, and preserve ancestors, funerary belongings and cultural items. The Museum must consult with Tribal Nations and make a reasonable and good faith effort to incorporate and accommodate Native American traditional knowledge in these activities. Free, prior and informed consent is required prior to allowing any exhibition of, access to, and research on ancestors, funerary items, and cultural items.

In line with the Museum’s broader commitment to the [ethical stewardship](https://peabody.harvard.edu/ethical-stewardship) of all collections in our care, the Museum had policies already in place that were aligned with the new regulations.

## Exhibitions 

The Museum has collaborated with Tribal Nations on exhibitions for many years, including the ongoing exhibits [The Legacy of Penobscot Canoes](https://peabody.harvard.edu/legacy-penobscot-canoes) in collaboration with the Penobscot Nation and [Wiyohpiayata: Lakota Images of the Contested West](https://peabody.harvard.edu/wiyohpiyata-lakota-images-contested-west) co-curated with Lakota artist Butch Thunder Hawk. The Museum has not exhibited ancestral remains for more than twenty years. Exhibitions have always been discussed during Tribal consultations and many cultural items have been removed from display over time at Tribal request. With the updated NAGPRA regulations the Museum has removed all funerary belongings and likely funerary belongings off display in anticipation of consultation with Tribal Nations.

## Research 

In 2021 the Museum introduced a research policy that required written authorization from authorized Tribal representatives, with the goal of encouraging knowledge generation in a manner founded on respect for, and in partnership with, descendant communities.

Further information on access to collections for research can be found on the [Engage with Collections](https://peabody.harvard.edu/engage-with-collections) website pages.

UPDATED APRIL 8, 2025