A recent joint hearing held by the California State Assembly's Joint Legislative Audit Committee and the Assembly Select Committee on Native American Affairs highlighted significant concerns regarding the California State University (CSU) system's compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The meeting, convened on August 29, 2023, aimed to address the ongoing challenges faced by California tribes in reclaiming sacred artifacts and ancestral remains currently held by CSU campuses.

Tribal leaders expressed frustration over the CSU system's lack of progress in repatriating these culturally significant items. They emphasized that inadequate funding and a lack of statewide policy should not hinder the repatriation process. One speaker noted that the CSU system has made little to no progress in returning sacred objects, which are vital to Native American culture, and called for the Chancellor's office to provide annual reports on the system's progress in this area.

Melissa Tayaba, vice chairwoman of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, shared her tribe's experience, stating that despite their efforts over the past 13 years, only two out of five repatriation attempts were successful. She criticized the CSU system for its systemic failures and urged the committee to hold the Chancellor accountable for addressing these historic injustices.

The hearing also underscored the need for increased funding and resources to support repatriation efforts. Tayaba called for quarterly reports to ensure accountability and transparency regarding the progress made by CSU and other educational institutions in complying with NAGPRA.

As the meeting concluded, tribal leaders expressed hope that the discussions would lead to actionable steps toward remediation and a renewed commitment from the CSU system to honor its obligations to California's Indigenous peoples. The call for legislative support, including pending bills aimed at enhancing auditing and reporting requirements, was a central theme, reflecting the urgency of addressing these long-standing issues.

This hearing marks a critical moment in the ongoing dialogue between California's educational institutions and Native American tribes, as both parties seek to rectify past wrongs and foster a more respectful and collaborative relationship moving forward.