Report 2022-107 Recommendation 2 Responses

Report 2022-107: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act: The California State University Must Do More to Ensure the Timely Return of Native American Remains and Cultural Items to Tribes (Release Date: June 2023)

Recommendation #2 To: University, California State

To ensure that campuses have identified all of the remains and cultural items in their NAGPRA collections, the Chancellor's Office should ensure that campuses properly consult with tribes by engaging in meaningful, timely discussion in a manner respectful of tribal sovereignty regarding protocols for handling and identifying remains and cultural items.

1-Year Agency Response

On October 30, 2023, the Chancellor's Office provided all 21 campuses with NAGPRA collections with the Campus Repatriation Implementation Plan (Plan). The Plan included guidance for the campuses in establishing contact with tribes and engaging in meaningful consultations as they conduct the work of inventorying the collections. Many campuses are already engaged in the consultation process.

The Chancellor's Office continues to provide support and serve as a resource for campuses as they identify and engage with tribes. The Chancellor's Office also sent memorandums to all campus presidents in December 2023 and February 2024, reminding them of the requirement to consult with tribes.

The Chancellor's Office formed a working group and began listening sessions and consultation with tribes throughout the state to draft a CSU systemwide policy. The working group has drafted an outline which includes a section about proper consultation with tribes.

In addition, an in-person training event was held in April 2024 at CSU San Bernardino. The event included both tribal and campus representatives as well as community members. There were two previous training events in September and October 2023.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Partially Implemented

6-Month Agency Response

On October 30, 2023, the Chancellor's Office provided all 21 campuses with NAGPRA collections with the Campus Repatriation Implementation Plan (Plan). A draft of the Plan was shared with the Native American Heritage Commission executive secretary and staff attorney for their review and their feedback was incorporated.

Included in the Plan is guidance for the campuses in establishing contact with tribes and engaging in meaningful consultations as they conduct the work of inventorying the collections. Many campuses are already engaged in the consultation process.

In addition, a virtual training session was conducted on September 27, 2023, and an in-person workshop was held at Fresno State on October 30, 2023. Representatives from 20 campuses and the Chancellor's Office attended either the live virtual training or in-person workshop. Sessions included guidance on proper consultation with tribes. Individuals who were not able to attend the training or workshop can access the training materials and recordings on the Chancellor's Office's NAGPRA website on the CSU portal as well as on CSU Learn. The website NAGPRA.Calstate.edu was created in March 2023 and the site has been continually updated. Another in-person training event is planned for April 2024 at CSU San Bernardino.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Pending

60-Day Agency Response

The Chancellor's Office will provide systemwide training and develop a systemwide consultation policy to ensure that campuses properly consult with tribes. The systemwide NAGPRA coordinator and campus NAGPRA coordinators are working with systemwide learning and development experts to create the training. The initial training module is scheduled to go live in August 2023.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending

All Recommendations in 2022-107

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.