I agree with Andy.  Interpretation of what is or is not a sacred object or
an object of cultural partrimony varies tremendously between museums
and Native groups.  NAGPRA is intended to promote consultation and
indeed REQUIRES it as part of the inventory process.  In my opinion, it is
not up to a museum to decide whether or not the moccasin in question
"fits" into NAGPRA classifications without first consulting with the
appropriate Native groups.  I find the general reluctance of the museum
community to consult with Native groups amazing, especially when
museums have so much to gain as a result in terms of understanding the
Native American material culture in their collections.

Just my 2 cents.

Laura Mahoney
Office of Sponsored Projects
Smithsonian Institution


>>> Andy Finch <[log in to unmask]> 02/19/97 02:08pm >>>

Having said which, NAGPRA is meant to set up a consultative process in
which emotional issues can be dealt with calmly.  Whether or not a
particular kind of object positively falls under one of the classifications
may ultimately be less important than how all concerned parties feel
about it.

There's a lot more to say on this but I have to run.

Andy Finch
AAM Government Affairs [log in to unmask]