I wish to raise my voice in opposition to certain current efforts to sell information sessions and workshops concerning implementation of NAGPRA on e-mail and elsewhere. It seems that such efforts are premature and ill-advised until such time as the Tribes have had adequate opportunity to establish their understanding of such concepts as cultural patrimony, lineal descent, sacred, funerary goods, etc. I do not agree that the law is clear or that the regulations now being proposed have been sufficiently tested in specific Tribal contexts to know if they are workable. It seems that those who know the inside workings of the Federal establishment, various archaeologists, and others unfamiliar with the views held by Tribes on these matters are insinuating themselves into positions as brokers of NAGPRA relationships between Tribes, museums, agencies of government, and universities. Unfortunately, I continue to encounter professional workshops designed to educate museum, university, agency, and Tribal personnel concerning provisions of NAGPRA. These workshops are being given by people who have little or no knowledge or research familiarity with the issues involved in implementing NAGPRA. It is far too early to say that we have a clear knowledge of the several hundred Tribes affected by NAGPRA and how they view such matters as cultural patrimony, lineal descent, sacred, funerary goods, etc. A major problem not yet resolved in many cases concerns the means by which issues of cultural affiliation will be resolved as it affects ownership and repatriation of culturally sensitive objects. Yet another unresolved major issue is to what extent museum and other professionals in charge of collections will control the NAGPRA process and to what extent the Tribes will. Am I confused in my understanding that the Tribes were to control this process? Have a nice day! Deward Walker [log in to unmask]