By Rob Capriccioso
Indian Country Today
October 3, 2008
WASHINGTON - In a pre-emptive strike of sorts, the National Association of
Tribal Historic Preservation Officers has laid out five key priorities for
the next presidential administration, aimed at strengthening tribal historic
preservation efforts.
They include:
* Supporting adequate federal funding for cultural preservation involving
the Tribal Historic Preservation Officers program; tribal museums and
cultural centers; grants to assist tribes with Native American Graves
Protection and Repatriation Act activities; Native language preservation and
rejuvenation; and sacred site protection;
* Helping achieve full voting membership for NATHPO on the Advisory Council
on Historic Preservation;
* Collaborating with NATHPO to conduct a national study to examine the
actual needs and challenges facing Indian country's cultural preservation;
* Implementing recommendations of the NATHPO-Makah report, released in
August, which found that the National Park Service has used more than $3
million in tribal grants for purposes not covered by the NAGPRA grants
program (It also found
that several federal agencies, including the Park Service itself, have
withdrawn public notices that tie held remains and objects to contemporary
Natives); and
* Enhancing and promoting Native voices in all aspects of historic
preservation at all levels of government.
The priorities were adopted Sept. 24 at the 10th annual meeting of the
organization.
"Every day, Indian country fights for cultural and historical survival,"
said NATHPO President D. Bambi Kraus. "There are many forces that are
tearing apart our communities and families and disenfranchising us from our
homelands, our ancestors, our sacred objects and places, and our unique way
of living on this earth. Our priorities reflect our experiences of the
past 10 years and we look forward to working with the next administration to
support and recognize our unique cultures and contributions as Native
people."
"It's very important that our tribal preservation concerns get the attention
they deserve," said Alan Downer, a tribal historic preservation officer for
the Navajo Nation who helped develop the proposal.
He noted that tribal preservation concerns became part of the federal policy
table relatively recently, with some laws in this arena coming into
existence in just the last two decades.
"We participate in the federal system as sort of the poor stepchild," he
assessed. "That's not going to change without considerable attention from
the [next presidential] administration."
Already, advisers with both campaigns of the major presidential candidates
have said that Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain are ready to take
proactive oversight steps on federal preservation and cultural efforts
involving tribes.
At a Sept. 23 NATHPO reception, both Loretta Tuell, an adviser to Obama's
camp, and Jana McKeag, co-chair of the American Indians for McCain
Coalition, said their candidates want to make sure that cultural
preservation is happening as it should in accordance with federal law.
Downer said he was happy to learn that both candidates want to take positive
steps, but he noted that promises made during campaigns are often difficult
to see implemented, especially for tribes.
"Once they get in office, they have 100,000 voices asking them for
attention. And the bulk of money ends up going to federal and state
interests - they definitely need more encouragement from tribal interests."
Attention from the presidential campaign advisers is just one indication
that tribal cultural preservation may play a heightened role in coming years
on the federal level.
In recent days, leaders of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs told
Indian Country Today that they support a federal investigation aimed at
strengthening the implementation of NAGPRA.
As of late September, Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., was set to call for a
report and study by the U.S. Government Accountability Office to explore
federal government compliance and enforcement of the law. Sen. Lisa
Murkowski, R-Alaska, expressed strong support for the action.