March 21, 1997

The Honorable Ben Nighthorse Campbell
Chairman
Senate Indian Affairs Committee
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Chairman Campbell:

On February 19, 1997, I wrote you to comment on S. 110, the proposed amendments to NAGPRA that were introduced by Senator Inouye. I understand that the next-to-last paragraph of this letter may have been interpreted to indicate that SAA wishes to question tribal authority under NAGPRA to control the disposition of cultural items found on tribal lands. This is not the case. SAA supports tribal sovereignty and has encouraged the development of tribal cultural resource programs so that archaeological sites and other historic and cultural properties on tribal lands can be protected and managed in ways that incorporate tribal values and concerns.

SAA has long been committed to the use of cultural affiliation as a guiding principle of NAGPRA. I believe this position is widely shared by tribes as well. SAA seeks to support the use of this principle in decision-making under NAGPRA. The comments in the February 19 letter that I refer to here were designed to reflect this interest, rather than any desire to challenge tribal sovereignty.

Sincerely,

/s/

William D. Lipe, Ph. D.
President