Most Recent Newsletter

Our next THPO Policy Forum will take place on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 3 PM ET. This is the first Policy Forum since we altered the schedule for both the THPO Policy Forums & Medicine Circles. Beginning in March, THPO Policy Forums will take place on the FIRST Thursday of EVERY OTHER month, while THPO Medicine Circles will take place EVERY month on the THIRD Thursday,

The topics we plan to cover in this month's Policy Forum will include updates from the most recent ACHP business meeting (see below). You can sign up for Thursday's Policy Forum HERE.

As a reminder, THPO Policy Forums and Medicine Circles are intended for THPOs and THPO staff only. 

On February 12, 2026, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) convened its first business meeting since 2024, and the first under the Trump Administration’s second term, in Washington, DC. It was a packed agenda with several consequential actions for the preservation field, including matters with direct implications for Tribal Nations and THPOs. Executive Director for Indigenous Diplomacy & Federal Relations Ira Matt (Séliš) served as NATHPO's designated representative at the Council meeting.

Before a packed audience, Ira, spoke out strongly in defense of the interests of Tribal Nations and THPOs. Ira and NATHPO collaborated on several issues with partners like the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers. Additionally, this was one of the first primary interactions several newly appointed Members have had in the Council setting. Throughout the meeting, two Tribal Members with experience navigating Indian Country, John Tahsuda III and Kyle Scherer, reinforced the value and role of meaningful Tribal consultation.

You can listen to audio of the Council's business meeting HERE.

The Council covered several topics, two of which are of particular importance to NATHPO, THPOs, and Tribal leaders - an ACHP-led review of Section 106 regulations under the National Historic Preservation Act and the US Army's Program Comment for Army Warfighting Readiness and Associated Infrastructure.

As ACHP takes the first steps in their review of the Section 106 regulations, they asked Council Members to provide their initial feedback no later than February 27. To help inform our initial feedback, NATHPO held two listening sessions for Tribal leaders and THPOs. Both were well-attended, and we appreciate the questions and feedback we received, both during the forums and individually.

The February 27 deadline did not provide much time, so our immediate goal was to outline broad thematic areas while also identifying targeted examples that can inform a credible starting point for Council Members as they move forward. This will not be the only opportunity for comment. The February 27 submissions from Members are intended to help inform the initial framing of the Council’s work, and NATHPO will keep Tribal leaders and THPOs informed about future opportunities to ask questions and/or provide feedback, both to NATHPO and directly to the ACHP.

Earlier this year, the community of THPOs lost one of their own when Ramon Billy, Jr., THPO for the Hopland Band of Pomo Indians, passed away. Ramon was a passionate advocate on behalf of his Tribe and ever enthusiastic about his work as a THPO. In addition to his nine years as THPO. Ramon also served his people as a member at large for four years. The family's obituary for Ramon said it best: "He was the keeper of knowledge and enjoyed sharing historical events, cultural traditions, beliefs, and family connections."

Please join NATHPO in celebrating the life of this fearless warrior for his people and sending our heartfelt condolences to his family, his colleagues, and the people of the Hopland Band of Pomo Indians.

TALKING "LAND" AT CAL-THPO/SHPO SUMMIT | Earlier this month, NATHPO Geospatial Director John Swigart attended the annual California THPO/SHPO summit, hosted by the Jamul Indian Village of California. After a brief legislative and federal affairs update from Executive Directors Valerie Grussing and Ira Matt, who joined remotely from Washington, DC, John talked to the group about NATHPO’s Land Area & Name Directory (LAND) Initiative, a project to develop an interactive geographic database to help ensure all the right Tribal Nations – and their THPOs – can be contacted for consultation on activities within their areas of interest. We’re encouraging all Tribes & THPOs to reach out to John to help us build this database, and John is also available to provide technical assistance for all things GIS to THPOs and THPO staff.

NATHPO AT NCAI | NATHPO also had an important presence at the NCAI Winter Session. Dr. Valerie Grussing, NATHPO’s Executive Director for Legislative Affairs & Strategic Partnerships, addressed the gathering to tell them about the threats posed to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, one of the most important tools Tribes and THPOs use to preserve sacred places and cultural resources, and the work NATHPO is doing to protect Section 106. Later, NATHPO staff joined NCAI in Hill meetings, including a meeting between Absentee Shawnee Treasurer Joseph Blanchard and Congresswoman Sharice Davids, D-Kansas (pictured below). Congresswoman Davids is a champion for Tribal Nations and NATHPO appreciates her strong support for THPOs.

WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBER! | At the beginning of this year, NATHPO was pleased to welcome Kathy Felipe, who assumed the duties of THPO for Pueblo of Acoma and the Southwest Region's representative on the NATHPO Board after Steven Concho's recent appointment to be Tribal Secretary for Pueblo of Acoma. Please join us in welcoming Kathy as a THPO and NATHPO Board member and in congratulating Steven on his new role!

Next week is National Historic Preservation Advocacy Week on Capitol Hill. Advocates representing preservation partners from across the country will gather in Washington, DC, to hear about the state of various preservation priorities, meet with Members of Congress and their staffs, and discuss ways to advance our shared goals of preserving sacred & historic places and cultural resources.

We're especially excited to see Gila River THPO Reylynne Williams take the stage as part of a session on addressing regulatory changes. We always love seeing THPOs when they come to town, so if any other THPOs or THPO staff are going to be in town for Advocacy Week, please let us know so we can find time to meet up with you!

DUE MARCH 13: IMLS NAB, NANH Grant Applications | The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is accepting applications through March 13, 2026, for two different grant programs:

The Native American Basic Grants (NAB) program assists eligible Native Communities in establishing, sustaining, and improving library services and operations with their communities. As information needs change, Tribal libraries must be able to serve as knowledge and resource centers to benefit their users and the wellness of their communities. The NAB program supports Native Communities across the country to address their individual information needs and priorities. You can find more information, including how to apply, HERE.

The Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services program (NANH) supports Native American Tribes, Alaska Native Villages, and organizations that primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians in sustaining heritage, culture, and knowledge. The program supports projects such as educational services and programs, workforce professional development, organizational capacity building, community engagement, and collections stewardship. You can find more information, including how to apply, HERE.

DUE MARCH 28: Comment on HUD Updates To Section 184 Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Program | The US Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) is seeking Tribal feedback on potential updates to the Section 184 Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Program regulations to reduce administrative burden and improve access to homeownership in Tribal communities. HUD is specifically requesting input on ways to streamline program requirements, improve coordination with other federal and Tribal programs, strengthen loss mitigation policies, expand lender participation, and enhance communication between Tribes and lenders. Comments are due March 28, 2026, and should be submitted to Section184consultation@hud.gov with the subject line: "Tribal Consultation on HUD Section 184 Program Rulemaking." You can find more information HERE.

CONTINUING IN MARCH: ACHP Webinars | Beginning next month, ACHP, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, will launch “2026 Preserve the Past, Build for the Future,” a four-part webinar series “designed to introduce college students to the field of historic preservation and related disciplines.” The next webinar, "Preserving America’s Historic Main Streets," will take place Tuesday, March 24, at 2PM ET. You can find more information, including how to register, HERE.

NATHPO regularly submits comment letters to federal agencies advocating on behalf of Tribal communities and their THPOs. You can find several of our most recent letters HERE, and if you know of an upcoming deadline and want NATHPO to consider submitting comment, please contact Melissa Madrigal at Melissa@NATHPO.org.

NATHPO is excited to bring its 26th Annual Conference & Sacred Places Summit to Albuquerque, NM, August 24-28, 2026. We're grateful to our hosts, Pueblo of Acoma. Stay tuned to NATHPO's website for more details as they come available, and if you or your organization are interested in becoming a sponsor, please visit NATHPO's sponsorship website.

NEED GIS Assistance? NATHPO is here to help!

In addition to his work on NATHPO's LAND (Land Area & Name Directory) Initiative, Geospatial Director John Swigart is also available to provide technical assistance for all things GIS to THPOs and THPO staff. You can reach him by email at GIS@NATHPO.org or by phone at 402-476-3746.

Stay current on important happenings using our new Calendar of Events, and post your own to share! And let us know if you have a job posting you would like to share and we'll post it on our Community Job Board. AND don't forget to browse our listing of relevant Grant Opportunities.