TRIBAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE (THPO) & NATIVE AMERICAN GRAVES PROTECTION AND REPATRIATION ACT OFFICE (NAGPRA) The Saint Regis Mohawk tribe s Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO) and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (1990) Office (NAGPRA) are two programs within the Tribe's Cultural Resource Department promotion the use of our Kanienkeha:ka language with staff knowledgeable in most aspects of our Mohawk cultural, heritage and traditional matters/issues. The Tribal Preservation program includes a broad spectrum of important objectives inclusive of identification, evaluation, protection, interpretation and historic preservation planning of our Mohawk heritage. These objectives are achieved through coordinating and networking with three main organizations: other Tribal Historic Preservation offices, the Federal Historic program and New York State Historical Preservation office. In accordance to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 when any Native cultural/sacred sites or artifacts are found it is a federal requirement that the developer notify and consult with the affected Tribes. The NAGPRA Program Coordinator is responsible for contacting and documenting Haudenosaunee/Native American human remains, cultural or funerary items currently in the possession of Museums, Historic Societies, Universities, or which might be excavated or discovered on Federal and some privately owned lands. Once the contact and documentation procedure is completed and the items are of Mohawk ancestry, the NAGPRA Coordinator in conjunction with the THPO begins the repatriation process of transporting (if necessary) and a respectful re-internment, adhering to our ancient traditional customs. The future plans of the Cultural Resource Department is the establishment of a Tribal Archive and Records Division enabling our future generations the opportunity to have a place to conduct research and maintain our rich Mohawk culture and heritage.