Cultural Heritage Law Commons^™

The Spirit Of Nagpra: The Native American Graves Protection And Repatriation Act And The Regulation Of Culturally Unidentifiable Remains, Aaron H. Midler

Chicago-Kent Law Review

In March 2010, the U.S. Department of the Interior issued a final rule regarding the disposition of culturally unidentifiable human remains under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The rule is controversial, as some commentators argue that the Secretary of the Interior lacks the authority under the statute to regulate these remains. This Note analyzes the legitimacy of the final rule in light of federal administrative law precedent as well as the origin and purpose of NAGPRA. It also discusses two well-known cases arising under the statute and the effect that the final rule will have on …