Purposes

The purposes of this Act are— (1) to protect the confidentiality of culturally sensitive information provided by Indian Tribes, Alaska Native Entities, and Native Hawaiian Organizations to the Federal Government; (2) to create a safe, respectful space for consultation between the Federal Government and Indian Tribes, Alaska Native Entities, and Native Hawaiian Organizations that encourages a free-flowing exchange of information and ideas; (3) to build trust, strengthen relationships, and expand opportunities for costewardship between the Federal Government and Indian Tribes, Alaska Native Entities, and Native Hawaiian Organizations by ensuring that culturally sensitive information provided to the Federal Government will be protected to the maximum extent practicable; (4) to advance repatriation of cultural items, including human remains, under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.); and (5) to strengthen support for the policy of the United States of protecting and preserving traditional, cultural, and ceremonial rites and practices in accordance with Public Law 95–341 (commonly known as the American Indian Religious Freedom Act) (42 U.S.C. 1996 et seq.).