CalNAGPRA and NAGPRA

Caltrans is committed to the repatriation of curated human remains and items to culturally affiliated Native American tribes. The Headquarters Cultural Studies Office (CSO) provides statewide guidance and technical assistance to the 12 Districts, who are managing the implementation of CalNAGPRA and NAGPRA at the local level. More information about CalNAGPRA can be found on the California Native American Heritage Commission’s website and more information about NAGPRA can be found on the National NAGPRA program website. Please reach out to the District point of contact listed below if you have inquiries regarding repatriation.

Caltrans Collections Handling-Research Letter (PDF) 

Caltrans CalNAGPRA and NAGPRA Compliance (PDF)

Caltrans CalNAGPRA-NAGPRA Claims Process (PDF)

Helpful Links for CalNAGPRA and NAGPRA

Native American Heritage Commission

Assembly Bill 275 Legislation

National NAGPRA Program

Federal NAGPRA Regulations

District Points of Contact for CalNAGPRA and NAGPRA

Caltrans District Map

Headquarters Cultural Studies Office (Sacramento Office): Emily Castano

District 1 (Eureka): Elizabeth Hodges and Marisol Espino
Counties: Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, and Lake

District 2 (Redding): Elizabeth Truman
Counties: Siskiyou, Modoc, Trinity, Shasta, Lassen Tehama, and Plumas

District 3 (Marysville/Sacramento): Lisa Bright
Counties: Glenn, Butte, Colusa, Yolo, Sutter, Yuba, Sierra, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, and El Dorado

District 4 (Bay Area/Oakland): Lindsay Busse and Althea Asaro 
Counties: Sonoma, Napa, Marin, Solano, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Alameda, and Santa Clara

District 5 (San Luis Obispo/Santa Barbara): Robert Johnson-Ramirez
Counties: Santa Cruz, San Benito, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara

District 6 (Fresno/Bakersfield): Mandy Macias
Counties: Madera, Fresno, Tulare, Kings, and Kern

District 7 (Los Angeles): Caprice “Kip” Harper
Counties: Ventura and Los Angeles

District 8 (San Bernardino/Riverside): Gary Jones
Counties: Riverside and San Bernardino

District 9 (Bishop): Christina MacDonald and Jennifer Blake
Counties: Mono and Inyo

District 10 (Stockton): Amber Tedrow
Counties: San Joaquin, Amador, Calaveras, Alpine, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, Merced, and Mariposa

District 11 (San Diego): Natalia Galeana
Counties: Imperial and San Diego

District 12 (Orange County): Cheryl Sinopoli
Counties: Orange