Objective

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and its institutes (UTK) are subject to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990 (NAGPRA), which encompasses Native American human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects and objects of cultural patrimony. NAGPRA specifically defines Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and lineal descendants, which for the purposes of this procedure will hereafter be referred to collectively as Native Nations. More information about UTK’s NAGPRA-related activities and policies and contact information for the UTK NAGPRA committee can be obtained by visiting Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act | The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Scope

This procedure applies both to human remains and cultural objects that are under UTK’s control, and to human remains and cultural objects that are located at a UTK site and for which UTK acts as the steward. In cases where UTK acts as the steward for human remains or cultural objects that are under the control of a state or Federal agency, this procedure states that in addition to Native Nation approval, written approval from that agency is also required before images of NAGPRA-eligible human remains or cultural objects may be created or published.

Definitions

“Images” is defined to include photographs, scans, 3D printing, CT and PET scans, MRIs, drawings, and any other depictions of NAGPRA-eligible human remains and cultural objects.

“Create” is defined to include any action or process which produces or otherwise brings an image into existence.

“Publish” is defined to include disseminating, releasing, or producing for distribution. This includes but is not limited to theses and dissertations created after June 19, 2020. This does not include displays of contemporary art.

Procedure

Images of NAGPRA-eligible human remains or cultural objects, whether from claimed sites or sites not under claim, may not be created or published without written approval from the culturally affiliated Native Nations (as determined by the UTK NAGPRA committee in consultation with the Native Nations).

Requests regarding images of NAGPRA-eligible human remains or cultural objects should be submitted to the chair of the UTK NAGPRA committee.

Penalties/Disciplinary Action for Non-Compliance

Any violation of university policies relevant to this procedure may result in discipline as a violation of one or more provisions of the general standard of conduct in the student handbook or to discipline under the Code of Conduct (HR0580 – Code of Conduct) in the Human Resources Policy and Procedures.

Campus Responsible Official & Additional Contacts

Subject Matter	Office Name	Telephone Number	Email/Web Address
Policy Clarification and Interpretation	UTK Director of Repatriation and Curator of Archaeology, Department of Anthropology	(865) 974-3370	Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act | The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Policy Training	UTK Director of Repatriation and Curator of Archaeology, Department of Anthropology	(865) 974-3370	Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act | The University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Related Policies/Guidance Documents

RE0001 – The University of Tennessee Policy and Procedures on Responsible Conduct in Research and Scholarly Activities