Sonoma State University

Survey FAQ

Sonoma State University is committed to complying with the CSU NAGPRA Policy, CalNAGPRA, and NAGPRA. Your assistance is requested in completing our compliance by:

  • Completing the NAGPRA Campus Survey.
  • Reporting Cultural Items and Ancestral Remains on Campus.
  • Following the prohibition of use of Ancestral Remains and Cultural Items in
    teaching, research, and display.

What are we looking for?

Under NAGPRA and the CSU NAGPRA Policy, the Office of Tribal Relations is looking for Native American Cultural Items and Ancestral Remains that are in possession or control of the campus.

What are Ancestral Remains and Cultural Items?

Ancestral Remains include any Native American bone, hair, replicas, etc., no matter how small. All human remains and replicas that do not have purchasing documentation need to be reported to OTR for review even if they are not known to be Native American.
Cultural Items can look like many different things. If you are unsure, we encourage you to contact OTR. Some (but not exhaustive) examples include:
• Ceramics
• Baskets
• Projectile Points/"Arrowheads"
• Shells/Shell Beads
• Grinding Stones
• Obsidian
• Soil or Organics from archaeological sites
• Stone Tools

Why is this important?

In addition to state and federal mandates, SSU recognizes and acknowledges that Ancestral Remains and Cultural Items do not belong to the University. SSU recognizes that all future decision-making related to the Ancestral Remains and Cultural Items belongs to the associated lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, and Native Hawaiian Organizations.

What is possession or control of the University?

This means any Ancestral Remains or Cultural Items that were collected under the University name, using University funds, and/or given as a gift to the University. Even if they have been removed from campus, they remain under University control. If you do have any personal items that fall into these categories that you keep on campus, the Office of Tribal Relations asks you to report them to create a record with the University.

What is your area?

"Your area" is any space(s) on campus for which you are responsible or share equally held responsibility for. This includes your desk area, labs, or spaces for which you hold primary or shared primary responsibility. If you are the head of a department you have responsibility for shared areas with no clear ownership within your department (such as break areas or closets). If you are not sure, we recommend reporting on the area.

Where to check?

You are responsible for your area. Consider closets, drawers, displays, offices, warehouses, storage units, etc. If you are not sure, feel free to contact the Office of Tribal Relations and weare happy to walk through your area with you. If you are aware of any human remains or cultural items on campus that are not in your area, please report it to the Office ofTribal Relations at [email protected] .