• What is NAGPRA?
• What is repatriable under NAGPRA?
• Who is required to Comply with NAGPRA?
• What is protected under NAGPRA?
• Who may claim Cultural items under NAGPRA?
• Does NAGPRA apply to cultural items that originate outside of the United States?
  
• Does the Coalition assume individual Tribal Sovereignty?
• How are Tribal Politics handled with GBITNC Activities?
• How are disputes settled with repatriation issues?
• Who can participate in the GBITNC?

What is NAGPRA?
NAGPRA is Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. NAGPRA  is a federal law that passed in 1990 that provides a process for museums and federal agencies to return certain Native American cultural items -- human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, or objects of cultural patrimony -- to lineal descendants, and culturally affiliated Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations.

What is repatriable under NAGPRA?
Native American human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects and objects of cultural patrimony.

Who is required to comply with NAGPRA?
All Federal agencies are subject to NAGPRA. All public and private museums that have received Federal funds, other than the Smithsonian Institution, are subject to NAGPRA.

What is protected under NAGPRA?
Human remains, associated funerary, unassociated funerary objects, sacred objects and objects of cultural patrimony found on Federal and Tribal lands.

Who may claim Cultural items under NAGPRA?
NAGPRA  recognizes claims by lineal descendants, Indian tribes, Native Alaskan villages and corporations, and Native Hawaiian organizations.

Does NAGPRA apply to cultural items that originate outside of the United States?
No. NAGPRA is a United States law, and applies to United States museums and Federal agencies.

Does the Coalition assume individual Tribal Sovereignty?
No.  The Coalition is intended to support the efforts by individual Tribes with repatriation efforts.  Some Tribes have opted to have the Coalition to handle and coordinate repatriation activities on behalf of their Tribe since they do not have the staff to handle NAGPRA issues.  It is understood that we are all one people and that all Great Basin burials are related to all Great Basin Tribes.

How are Tribal Politics handled with GBITNC Activities?
Tribal Politics are not discussed by the GBITNC.  This is a coalition guided by traditions  and the teachings of the elders and spiritual leaders.  Elected leaders are a necessary part of the success of GBITNC activities however during Tribal political struggles the GBITNC and its participants refrain from discussing and/or becoming involved in Tribal politics.

How are disputes settled with repatriation issues?
GBITNC Tribes agree that we shall not fight over the remains.  They are all of our ancestor and our only responsibility is to return it Mother Earth.  The elders and spiritual leaders make the decisions and we adhere to their guidance.  

Who can participate in the GBITNC?
Tribal representatives of all ages are encouraged and welcome.  Tribal Elders, Spiritual Leaders, Tribal Leaders, Tribal Members, Tribal Youth, Tribal Employees.  Everyone has a place in the circle and everyone plays an important role in repatriating our ancestors.