Courtesy of the Chickasaw Nation. All rights reserved.
Journey Home
Follow our progress toward repatriation, and learn more about NAGPRA compliance.
What is NAGPRA?
The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), a Federal law enacted in 1990, provides a process for museums and Federal agencies to return Native American human remains and cultural items – funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony – to lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations.
Ancestors in Our Care
Click the interactive map to identify Mississippi counties with Ancestors and objects in our care.
Our Responsibility
In 2018, MDAH began actively participating in NAGPRA by documenting the number of Native Ancestors in our care.
Active Repatriation
The transfer of individuals is underway at MDAH. Interact with the map to view active and pending repatriations. Our ethical and legal obligations assist us in transitioning these individuals through active consultation with our Tribal partners.
Care and Trust
If you are in possession of Native Ancestors and/or funerary objects, they may be transferred to MDAH under a Care and Trust Agreement with Tribal Nations. MDAH staff can help you return the individuals to the appropriate Tribe through the use of an approved Transfer Agreement.
Please email us and select the "Care and Trust" subject header.
Repatriate Mississippi Initiative
In March 2021, MDAH launched the Repatriate Mississippi Initiative, designed to connect MDAH with other institutions across the country who may have Native American remains that were removed from Mississippi. This initiative facilitates shared expertise and assists institutions who may lack the resources necessary to complete NAGPRA. Click on the map to see the states participating. See the table below detailing these institutions and their participation status.
Email us to learn more about how your institution can participate and select “Repatriate Mississippi Initiative” in the subject header.
Repatriate Mississippi InitiativeInstitutions with Ancestors removed |
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|---|---|---|
| State | Institution | Status |
| Alabama | University of South Alabama, Center for Archaeological Studies | Participant |
| Arkansas | Arkansas Archaeological Survey | Participant |
| Connecticut | Yale University, Peabody Museum of Natural History | Non Participant |
| Louisiana | LA Cultural Heritage Museum | Not located |
| Louisiana State University, Museum of Natural Science | Participant | |
| University of Louisiana at Monroe | Resolved | |
| Louisiana State Attorney General Office | Resolved | |
| Massachusetts | Harvard University, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology | Participant |
| Robert S. Peabody Institute of Archaeology | Participant | |
| Mississippi | Mississippi Dept. of Transportation | Discussion |
| University of Mississippi, Center for Archaeological Research | Participant | |
| Mississippi State University, Cobb Institute of Archaeology | Discussion | |
| United States Dept. of Interior, FWS, Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge | Participant | |
| US Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile | Participant | |
| New York | American Museum of Natural History | Discussion |
| North Carolina | Appalachian State University, Appalachian Cultural Museum | Resolved |
| Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology | Discussion |
| Tennessee | University of Memphis, C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa | Resolved |
| Utah | Brigham Young University, Museum of Peoples and Cultures | Resolved |
Research within Reach
MDAH provides access to our archaeology collections upon request. Tribal partners are invited to consult and consider each proposal.
To make a request, please email us and select "Research Request" in the subject header. All researchers requesting use of the archaeology collections are encouraged to complete Research Consultation Form.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What do I do if I find human remains?
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If you believe you have found a burial or human bone you should first contact your local law enforcement agency as soon as possible. A deputy or police officer will be sent to your location to determine if the area is an active crime scene. If the burial or exposed remains are determined to be historic, the county coroner should be contacted for further guidance. If the remains are determined to be prehistoric, please contact MDAH Archaeology Collections at archaeologycollections@mdah.ms.gov for further guidance.
- I might have found a Native American artifact. How can I find out more information?
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Contact the archaeology collections team at archaeologycollections@mdah.ms.gov with details and photos of your find. They are happy to answer questions and provide additional resources!
- What do I do if I want to donate my collection?
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Contact the archaeology collections team at archaeologycollections@mdah.ms.gov with details about the collection and photos if available. They will submit the potential donation to the Archaeology Collections Committee for approval. If approved, you will be asked to fill out a Deed of Gift Form as well as a Transfer Form upon physical transfer. .
Assessment of Remains
MDAH determines the minimum number of individuals in our care through bioarchaeological examination. To read more about the assessment procedure, click below.
NAGPRA Step-by-Step
See our Archaeology Collections Policy for details about our acquisitions process. Click below for additional information on our step-by-step approach to repatriation.