Steps Toward Repatriation

KU has established a committee including representatives from the Native American and Indigenous communities, departmental KU support staff, the Spencer Museum of Art, and the Biodiversity Institute & Natural History Museum. The committee’s charge is to advise, guide and complete NAGPRA protocols while prioritizing tribal consultation.

In addition to auditing their existing collections, the Biodiversity Institute & Natural History Museum and the Spencer Museum of Art have partnered with the Office of Audit, Risk & Compliance to expand the auditing process across the Lawrence campus.

If you have information that may be helpful to the audit, please email repatriation@ku.edu or use the University Hotline for anonymous reporting. Following appropriate protocols, the audit begins within the institution and will ultimately be completed through tribal consultation.

The Office of Audit, Risk & Compliance has begun working on a university-wide policy surrounding repatriation, which will follow the existing policy development process.

On February 10, 2023, KU announced the hiring of former Thomas Torma as the University's first Repatriation Program Manager.

The Repatriation Program Manager will lead the university’s repatriation efforts and the NAGPRA Committee. The individual will work closely with KU’s Director of Tribal Relations in effectively consulting with Native Nations. 

NAGPRA regulations require KU to initiate consultation with Native Nations, and initial contact letters have been sent to Native Nations. KU’s Director of Tribal Relations and the future Repatriation Program Manager will provide sustained consultation and communication with Native Nations and their tribal historic preservation officers throughout the repatriation process.

Please note that information discoveries and content of the tribal consultation process is official communication between KU and sovereign nations, which requires confidentiality. The needs of the Native Nations will lead our efforts of repatriation and future communications. In accordance with NAGPRA law, KU will post notices to the Federal Register.

KU is including NAGPRA repatriation and associated expenses in the university’s budget.

Vice Provost Nicole Hodges Persley and the DEIB team will focus on concerns raised by and in support of the Native American and Indigenous communities and the Indigenous Studies Program. In addition, this team will offer support to those affected by KU’s discovery of ancestral remains and its previously incomplete NAGPRA process.

Following the disclosures of ancestral remains, Native American elders have cleansed specific buildings where ancestors are located.

The university has implemented a procedure that allows individuals to request funds for spiritual ceremonies and associated travel, along with mental health support.

KU is working to support the community as we repair and heal through the repatriation and NAGPRA processes. Community members can fill out Repatriation Financial Support Request Form for expenses related to spiritual ceremonies and associated travel or mental health support.

Space Management has identified a location in Snow Hall for the Indigenous Studies Program. Facilities, Planning, and Development are in the process of updating the space to better meet the Indigenous Studies Program’s needs.

During the fall semester, university administration met with the First Nations Student Association, Native Faculty Staff Council, Indigenous Studies Program and additional community members to ensure that Native American and Indigenous community members at KU have been heard and supported. Additionally, students of the Indigenous Studies Program requested meetings with the Provost’s Office and other leadership. Initial meetings have occurred, and engagement will continue.