Final answer:
The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) is the law requiring the return of skeletal remains and artifacts to original tribal groups, passed in 1990 to address historical inequities and allows Indigenous peoples to reclaim their cultural heritage.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA)
The law that requires skeletal remains and artifacts to be returned to original tribal groups is known as the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). This significant legislation was passed in the United States in 1990 and has since mandated the repatriation of cultural items including human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony to their appropriate tribal communities. NAGPRA addresses historical inequities and aids in the correction of the colonial legacy, offering a legal tool for Indigenous peoples to reclaim their ancestors and cultural heritage previously held in museums and collections.
NAGPRA has enabled the respectful treatment and return of sacred items and remains to the tribes from where they originated, reflecting a broader acknowledgment of the rights and traditions of Indigenous peoples. The repatriation efforts still face challenges, including the provenance of items and their cultural affiliation, but the Act has facilitated the return of a significant number of remains and artifacts to native communities, thereby allowing for appropriate reburial and ceremonial use according to tribal customs.