Can Native American communities request that libraries or archives restrict access to unpublished archival materials?
A. Not in most cases. A community would need to prove that the material violates individual or communal privacy rights, was illicitly obtained, or that the collecting institution has no “right of possession.” A library or archives may voluntarily restrict access to culturally sensitive material (sacred or secret), based upon consultation with the community of origin. See the section entitled Culturally Sensitive Material in the Protocols.
