Minnesota Indain Affaris Council Osteology Laboratory and Repository
The Minnesota Indian Affairs Council (MIAC) receives collections of American Indian human remains, associated funerary goods, archaeological materials and records in accordance with federal and state laws. The Minnesota Legislature passed the 2015 legacy funding bill with a onetime appropriation of $75,000.00 dollars each year for 2 years to help Indian Affairs Council develop an osteology laboratory and repository.
$75,000 each year is for the Indian Affairs Council to carry out responsibilities under Minnesota Statutes, section 307.08, to comply with Public Law 101-601, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, and to develop an osteology and repository for American Indian human remains.
The contractor will assist MIAC with the creation of a fully operational Osteology Laboratory and Repository. The contractor will provide qualified personnel and necessary equipment and supplies for this work. The contactor will conduct the work under direction of MIAC and provide MIAC with all required documents, reports, and forms. The scope of work during the contract period includes the following tasks.
1.) Furnish facilities, supplies, materials and services for the professional analysis and care of the collections. All personnel working with the MIAC collections must be approved by the Indian Affairs Council and instructed in appropriate cultural behavior and protocol standards for analysis and reports.
2.) Provide and maintain a repository facility having necessary equipment, space, and adequate safeguards for the physical security and controlled environment of the collections. Analysis should take place in a secured facility and no public information should be released except through the Indian Affairs Council. All analysis results, including copies of field notes/reports and basic data must be submitted to MIAC
3.) Perform all work necessary to protect the MIAC collections in accordance with the regulations and standards contained in the Code of Federal Regulations 36 CFR 79 and standards set by the Council.
4.) Make certain that all human remains will be treated with dignity at all times and appropriate cultural/religious practitioners consulted. MIAC should be consulted first in regards to appropriate procedures and consultants.
5.) Restrict access to the collections and associated records as well as facilities, supplies, materials and services for MIAC collection only to Indian Affairs Council personnel and their authorized representatives. Access to collections and associated records that contain information relating to the nature, location, or character of associated cultural resources might create a risk of harm, theft or destruction to the resources.
6.) Notify the Indian Affairs Council immediately upon the discovery of any loss or theft, damage or destruction of the collection.
7.) Maintain adequate cost records for work conducted under this agreement and to make such record available for inspection upon request by MIAC personnel.