Tribal leaders look to improve 1990 law

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- About 150 Indian leaders from across the country are in Oklahoma City today. <br><br>They're discussing ways to improve a 1990 law that requires certain artifacts in federally

Friday, June 9th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- About 150 Indian leaders from across the country are in Oklahoma City today.

They're discussing ways to improve a 1990 law that requires certain artifacts in federally funded museums to be returned to tribes.

The law is called the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.

Chickasaw National Lieutenant Governor Jefferson Keel says the trouble is that many of the artifacts can't be identified with acertain tribe.

Keel and other Indian leaders are pushing for a national coalition of tribes that would oversee the process and provide a unified voice in returning the items to tribes.

The leaders also are suggesting a regional repository where the culturally unidentifiable artifacts could be placed.

Keel says he hopes Congress might be able to take up the group's suggestions next year.