Cheyenne and arapaho collections nagpra consultation

The Denver Museum of Nature and Science received a $137,326 Project Grant Award effective October 1, 2025, through the National Park Service (National Office) under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) program (CFDA 15.922). The award supports consultation and documentation activities related to Cheyenne and Arapaho collections held by the museum. The project extends through March 31, 2027, and aligns with NAGPRA's primary objective of facilitating museums' consultation efforts with Native American tribes and organizations regarding human remains and culturally affiliated items in their collections.

Under this funding, the museum will conduct consultation activities with Cheyenne and Arapaho representatives to document and facilitate determinations regarding cultural affiliation of artifacts in its holdings. This work is consistent with the NAGPRA program's consultation and documentation track, which typically supports projects in the $50,000 to $100,000 range and enables museums to engage with tribes in identifying items eligible for repatriation while meeting federal compliance requirements.