Contributed by: National Preservation Institute
Organization: National Preservation Institute
Dated Posted: April 28, 2026
Website: Visit External Site

Free Online NAGPRA Training Available

Developed by the National Preservation Institute as Part of a Cooperative Agreement with the National NAGPRA Program

National NAGPRA Program Training:

The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) is a federal law that was passed in 1990. NAGPRA focuses on the return of Native American human remains and cultural items, and the protection of Native American burial sites.

As part of a cooperative agreement with the National NAGPRA Program, National Park Service, focused on NAGPRA training, the National Preservation Institute developed seven in-depth training videos on various issues related to NAGPRA implementation. These online training courses were designed to provide participants with practical knowledge and tools needed to support their NAGPRA efforts. These free videos offer six hours of new training content to NAGPRA practitioners from Indian tribes, Alaska Native villages, and Native Hawaiian organizations to museums and federal agencies.

NPI is proud to have been able to develop these training modules which apply the expertise and knowledge of instructors Jan Bernstein, Eric Hemenway, Sarah O’Donnell, Jane Richardson, and Claire Wilbert.

1 - NAGPRA 101: The Basics Under the Law—Eric Hemenway (95 minutes)

This NAGPRA training will cover the basics of the law, who the law applies to, and background into why the law was created.

2 - NAGPRA Consultation—Eric Hemenway (79 minutes)

This NAGPRA training will cover when consultation occurs, the legal mandates for consultation, and who the consulting parties are under NAGPRA.

3 - NAGPRA Consultation in a Virtual Setting—Sarah O'Donnell, Jane Richardson, and Claire Wilbert (24 minutes)

This NAGPRA training will explore the ways in which meaningful consultation can take place in virtual settings as part of compliance with Subpart C of NAGPRA.

4 - NAGPRA Inventories—Eric Hemenway (57 minutes)

This NAGPRA training will cover what an inventory is and who must compile one, the legal definition of categories under an inventory, and why an inventory is necessary under NAGPRA.

5 - NAGPRA Summaries—Eric Hemenway (58 minutes)

This NAGPRA training will cover what a summary is and who must compile one, the legal definition of categories under a summary, and why a summary is necessary under NAGPRA.

6 - Aboriginal Land Under NAGPRA—Jan Bernstein and Jane Richardson (16 minutes)

This NAGPRA training will review available resources for identifying aboriginal land, demonstrate their uses, and review case studies.

7 - Establishing a NAGPRA Data Management System for Museums—Jane Richardson and Claire Wilbert (25 minutes)

This NAGPRA training will discuss how best to establish and maintain a robust data management system as part of compliance with NAGPRA.

Related training offered by NPI:

• NAGPRA and ARPA: Applications and Requirements

(2 days / in-person seminar)

• NAGPRA Essentials

(2 days / in-person seminar)

• Native America 101

(90-minute on-demand, online course)

• Native American Cultural Property Law

(2 days / in-person seminar)

• Tribal Cultural Monitors: An Introduction

(90-minute webinar, 2026 offerings: TBA)

In-person seminars currently not scheduled can be set up as customized training.

Go to NPI Trainings for a full list of available in-person seminars and online training offerings.