Tribal Support Funding

Background

The University of California (UC) is strongly committed to the expeditious and respectful repatriation of all Native American ancestors and cultural items held on its campuses, in accordance with the requirements of the Native American Graves Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), California NAGPRA, and the UC Native American Cultural Affiliation and Repatriation Policy (UC Policy).

As the institution which historically held the largest number of California Native American ancestors and cultural items, it is UC’s goal and ethical responsibility to cover Tribal expenses relating to NAGPRA and CalNAGPRA to the greatest extent possible.

For Fiscal Years 2025-2028, the UC Office of the President (UCOP) has designated $3,002,400 in Tribal support funds which campuses may use to compensate tribes for consultation or repatriation costs.

UC Tribal Support Fund Info Sheet (PDF)

Costs of Tribal Consultation and Repatriation

The following list indicates the types of costs relating to NAGPRA and CalNAGPRA that will be funded by UC.

This list should not be considered exhaustive. Unexpected expenses that are not listed here may also be covered by UC as circumstances allow. We are committed to supporting Tribes through the NAGPRA/CalNAGPRA process.

Personnel

  • Staff time spent in consultation or preparing ancestors or cultural items for reburial or transfer
  • Stipends or honoraria

Travel¹

  • Flights, mileage, and other transportation
  • Lodging
  • Meals and incidentals

Consultants and services²

  • Specialists (e.g., osteologists, conservators)
  • Testing and/or mitigation of contaminated collections
  • Fine art handling, packing, or crating services
  • UC storage space for repatriated collections
  • Incineration of museum packaging

Supplies and equipment

  • Repackaging materials
  • Ceremonial supplies
  • Event logistics (e.g., chairs, tents)
  • Equipment rental (e.g., excavators)

Transportation for reburial or transfers

  • Cargo van rental
  • Air freight

Land preparation

  • Land acquisition³
  • Cultural resource surveying
  • Land use permits

¹Travel expenses will be covered according to UC Travel Regulations.

²UC campuses may have resources to provide some of these services directly.

³Options may include using UC land for reburial, coordinating reburial lands, or working with Tribes to identify alternate sources of funding.

UC Funding Process

UC campuses and Tribes should discuss which of the listed costs are anticipated for each consultation or repatriation, including whether UC is able to provide certain services (e.g., contamination testing, incineration) or make direct bookings or purchases.

Shared expectations should also be established regarding staff compensation rates, methods of payment or reimbursement, campus and Tribal financial procedures, and anticipated timelines.

If the campus intends to use the UCOP funds set aside for Tribal support, campuses will prepare a Tribal Support Fund Request Form with a description of activities, budget, and budget justification. Requests will be submitted to UCOP for approval.

UCOP will evaluate funding requests based on equity, availability of funds across the system, need, and appropriateness. Campuses will be notified as to whether the request will be funded, partially funded, or not funded.

Funds will be distributed to Tribes by campuses based on the previously agreed-upon methods and timelines for payment.