Returning to the People

Register now for this FREE virtual lecture.


Returning to the People: How the MPM works with Indigenous groups to bring their history and ancestors home
Presented by Dawn Scher Thomae, MPM Curator of Anthropology Collections

The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), passed in 1990, has forever changed the way museums collect, interpret, and care for Native American items. One of the most controversial aspects of this federal law relates to the process used by museums, repositories, and federal agencies to return certain Native American cultural items and ancestral remains to tribes. This presentation will provide an overview of the law, how MPM works with the U.S. government and Native groups, and the ways that NAGPRA has impacted MPM’s collections, exhibits, and programs. 

Date and Time

Thursday, November 9, 2023
6:30 - 8 p.m.

Cost and Reservations

Free! Virtual Only.

Register Now