In a recent joint hearing held by the California State Assembly, significant discussions emerged regarding the compliance of California State Universities (CSUs) with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and its state counterpart, Cal NAGPRA. The meeting, attended by representatives from Chico State, Sonoma State, and Sacramento State, highlighted the ongoing challenges and commitments these institutions face in repatriating ancestral remains and cultural items to Native American tribes.

Chico State's President, Dr. Gayle E. Perez, acknowledged the university's long-standing non-compliance with NAGPRA and expressed regret for the delays faced by tribes awaiting the return of their ancestors and cultural artifacts. The university has reviewed over 147,000 cultural items, including an estimated 2,612 human remains, and is currently in the process of repatriating 532 ancestors and 87 cultural belongings to a consortium of tribes. This effort marks one of the largest repatriations in NAGPRA's history, although challenges remain, particularly concerning documentation and inventory accuracy.

Sonoma State University President, Dr. Mike Lee, also emphasized the need for improvement in repatriation processes. He reported that the university has contacted 141 tribal representatives and has repatriated remains and cultural items from 17 collections. Lee committed to enhancing the university's repatriation efforts by hiring a full-time coordinator and establishing a budget to support tribal consultations.

Sacramento State's new President, Dr. Luke Wood, echoed the sentiments of his colleagues, acknowledging the university's shortcomings in repatriation efforts. He reported that 73% of ancestors and 49% of catalog entries under the university's control have been claimed by tribal nations, with plans for significant repatriation in the coming year. Wood highlighted the importance of ongoing dialogue with tribal representatives and the allocation of additional resources to facilitate the repatriation process.

Raymond Hitchcock, Executive Secretary of the Native American Heritage Commission, provided a critical perspective on the audit findings, noting that only 6% of CSU collections have been repatriated. He stressed the emotional toll that continued non-compliance has on tribal communities and called for proactive measures to prioritize the return of ancestral remains.

The discussions at this hearing underscore a collective recognition among California's higher education institutions of the urgent need to address historical injustices and improve compliance with repatriation laws. As these universities work towards fulfilling their commitments, the outcomes of their efforts will have a profound impact on the healing and restoration of cultural heritage for Native American tribes across the state.