Tribal Cultural Resources Law

The National Historic Preservation Act defines cultural resources as any prehistoric or historic district, site, building, structure, or object included in, or eligible for inclusion in, the National Register of Historic Places.

Tribes have the right to consult with federal agencies on decisions that may affect their cultural resources, the right to access and inspect federal records related to their cultural resources, and the right to participate in the management and preservation of their cultural resources.

The National Historic Preservation Act, the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act all protect tribal cultural resources.

The purpose of the National Historic Preservation Act is to protect historic properties, promote the preservation of historic properties, and provide financial assistance for the preservation of historic properties.

The purpose of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act is to protect archaeological resources.

The purpose of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act is to protect Native American graves and cultural items, promote the repatriation of Native American graves and cultural items, and provide financial assistance for the repatriation of Native American graves and cultural items.

The National Register of Historic Places provides a list of historic properties that are eligible for protection under federal law, provides a process for tribes to nominate their cultural resources for listing on the National Register, and provides financial assistance for the preservation of historic properties listed on the National Register.

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation reviews federal undertakings that may affect historic properties, provides advice to federal agencies on how to protect historic properties, and develops regulations to implement the National Historic Preservation Act.

The National Park Service manages national parks and other federal lands that contain cultural resources, provides technical assistance to tribes on the preservation of their cultural resources, and conducts research on the history and culture of tribes.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs provides financial assistance to tribes for the preservation of their cultural resources, provides technical assistance to tribes on the preservation of their cultural resources, and conducts research on the history and culture of tribes.

The Indian Arts and Crafts Board promotes the development of Native American arts and crafts, protects the intellectual property rights of Native American artists and craftspeople, and provides financial assistance to Native American artists and craftspeople.

The Smithsonian Institution houses a collection of Native American artifacts and cultural materials, conducts research on the history and culture of tribes, and provides educational programs on Native American culture.

The National Endowment for the Arts provides financial assistance to Native American artists and craftspeople, supports the development of Native American arts and crafts programs, and promotes the appreciation of Native American arts and crafts.

The National Endowment for the Humanities provides financial assistance to scholars who are studying Native American history and culture, supports the development of educational programs on Native American history and culture, and promotes the appreciation of Native American history and culture.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services provides financial assistance to museums and libraries that are preserving Native American cultural resources, supports the development of educational programs on Native American culture, and promotes the appreciation of Native American culture.