# Getting Started ## expand\_more Welcome to all lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations seeking to learn more about starting the repatriation process with the Peabody Museum. Repatriation activity at the museum proceeds in compliance with NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act), and we have a dedicated staff actively working on its implementation. ## Consultations Consultation with Native groups is central to the repatriation process. It is a process of communication and collaboration with Native groups that can take several forms, such as mailed correspondence, emails, phone calls, remote meetings, and in-person visits. Whenever feasible, we coordinate visits to the museum for Tribal representatives to discuss the return of ancestral remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony. Consultations often result in requests for repatriation or disposition of ancestral remains and/or cultural items. Additionally, consultations create opportunities to discuss digital and archival resources, support ongoing research, and collaborate on care for ancestors and sensitive cultural items while they are in our care. ## First Steps Consultations are most frequently initiated by our staff as we continue with NAGPRA implementation, however, lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations often initiate consultations with the museum as well. A staff member from our NAGPRA Department will facilitate access to collections information, which is most commonly done through the [Peabody's Collections Online](https://collections.peabody.harvard.edu/collections). The Peabody Museum uses the museum collections website as a means of initial presentation of collections for NAGPRA consultation. Guidance on searching the database is available on [About the Collections](https://collections.peabody.harvard.edu/about). Please note that in some cases, catalog records and/or images may not be publicly accessible due to cultural sensitivity considerations so please let us know if access assistance is required. Please send your initial inquiry to the NAGPRA Department to begin the consultation process in writing by email at or by mail at the address listed below. Jane Pickering, William and Muriel Seabury Howells Director Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology Harvard University 11 Divinity Ave. Cambridge, Mass. 02138 Following this initial inquiry, a designated coordinator will respond to your request. This individual will assist you in the repatriation process, address any further questions, and serve as a primary point of contact moving forward. The museum strives to improve access for Native American communities, whether through NAGPRA or other means. If you are a member of an Indigenous or descendant community seeking access to collections or collections information outside of the NAGPRA consultation process, please visit [Engage with Collections](/engage-with-collections). ## Planning a Consultation Visit We welcome in-person consultations. We ask that you email us at to begin coordinating your visit. Before arranging your travel plans, please provide us with at least a month’s notice so we may fully prepare to accommodate your visit. As part of preparing for your visit, we will ask you to fill out a questionnaire to better understand your priorities. During your visit, we will also ask you to complete a form to document your in-person consultation. Both forms are available as PDFs below. [Repatration: Pre-Visit Form 2023](/file_url/3673) [Record of Consultation Visit](/file_url/3674) ## Repatriation Visits In January 2024 the museum announced that the University will provide travel funding for Tribal representatives to come to the Museum for the physical repatriation of ancestors and associated funerary belongings. We hope that this action will help lessen the burden on Tribes. Further details can be found on [Repatriation Visits](/repatriation-visits). ## Contacts If you have any questions, please contact us at [pmnagpra@fas.harvard.edu](/pmnagpra@fas.harvard.edu) or by mail at the address listed below. Jane Pickering, William and Muriel Seabury Howells Director Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology Harvard University 11 Divinity Ave. Cambridge, Mass. 02138 For press inquiries, please contact the [Director's Office](mailto:peabody-director@fas.harvard.edu). See below for staff working on the museum's implementation of NAGPRA. ## NAGPRA Coordinators [### Meredith Bissett ](/people/meredith-bissett)NAGPRA Program Coordinator ![Portrait of Meredith Luze.](/sites/g/files/omnuum4921/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/peabody/files/meredith_luze.jpg?itok=m9uf_m_n) [### Audrey Jacob ](/people/audrey-jacob)NAGPRA Coordinator ![A crimson shield has the word Veritas spelled out across three open books. It is surrounded by a wreath that says Harvard on the bottom.](/sites/g/files/omnuum4921/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/peabody/files/harvard_crest_0.jpg?itok=odOG3Ese) ## Collections and Curatorial Assistants [### Caroline Palmer ](/people/caroline-palmer)Collections Assistant ![Caroline Palmer](/sites/g/files/omnuum4921/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/peabody/files/carolinepalmer.jpg?itok=sz1mpzII) ## Tribal and Community Visit Coordinator [### Dakota LaPlante ](/people/dakota-laplante)Tribal and Community Visit Coordinator Cheyenne River Lakota (Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe) ![Portrait of Dakota LaPlante](/sites/g/files/omnuum4921/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/peabody/files/dakota_laplante.jpg?itok=SBpqAqwy)