Sonoma State University

NAGPRA Program

Mission Statement

The mission of Sonoma State University’s NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act) Program is to consult early and often, conduct meaningful consultation, and engage in respectful repatriation. Sonoma State University is fully committed to the repatriation of Native American Indian ancestors and their belongings, and to the respectful curation of cultural materials.

Sonoma State University's NAGPRA Initiative is administratively housed in the Office of Tribal Relations, Director Elise Green serves as the President's designee for NAGPRA compliance. This strategic placement underscores the university's commitment to honoring and adhering to state and federal mandates concerning the respectful return of Native American cultural items and human remains. This initiative ensures coordinated efforts across departments to engage in meaningful dialogue with Tribal communities and uphold ethical stewardship practices.

Sonoma State University's NAGPRA Oversight Committee

The California State University System and Sonoma State University established NAGPRA Oversight Committees in 2024. The role of the campus Oversight Committee is to serve as an Advisory Group that offers recommendations on tasks related to federal and state NAGPRA
compliance, including:

  • The creation and development of campus NAGPRA policies
  • Overseeing/monitoring NAGPRA progress toward repatriation/disposition
  • Evaluating repatriation claims, as needed
  • Dispute resolution, as needed.
  • Recommendations on campus-level NAGPRA issues (i.e., improving existing NAGPRA repositories, consulting on construction of new spaces)
  • Other improvements to the NAGPRA Program, as recommended by the Advisory Group

Membership

Campus Oversight Committee membership after approval by the Native American Heritage Commission.

  1. Tribal Representative (Non-Federally Recognized): Vacant
  2. Tribal Representative (Federally Recognized: Lorelle Ross – Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria (Appointed July 10, 2024)
  3. Tribal Representative (Federally Recognized): Paul Steward – Elem Indian Colony (Appointed July 10, 2024)
  4. Tribal Representative (Federally Recognized): Vacant
  5. CSU Representative: Vacant
  6. CSU Representative:  Vacant
  7. CSU Native American Studies Representative: Silvia Soto (Appointed November 7, 2024)