On Thursday, Executive Director for Indigenous Diplomacy & Federal Affairs Ira Matt (Séliš) will participate on NATHPO's behalf in the next business meeting of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP). The Acting Chair has announced his intent to use that meeting “to develop a strategy for ACHP Member engagement on” his desire for the Council to “begin reviewing and considering revisions to the existing Section 106 regulations.”
This is a first step in what will likely be a longer process, but it is a topic to which we at NATHPO attach the highest importance. The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) is the foundation for the THPO program, and Section 106 is one of the most powerful tools available to Tribal Nations to protect their sacred places and cultural resources.
Prior to the meeting, Ira made NATHPO's position on this topic clear:
“Any changes to the Section 106 regulations must produce real change in federal behavior. Consultation must occur early enough to shape decisions, and it must be government-to-government in a way that respects Tribal sovereignty and the rights Tribes hold under the NHPA. ‘Streamlining’ cannot be used to bypass Tribes, narrow the protection of sacred places and cultural landscapes, or treat harm as acceptable simply because a timeline is tight. The regulations must reinforce the obligation to identify and consider historic properties of religious and cultural significance to Tribes, and to treat Indigenous knowledge as essential evidence in that work. NATHPO will stay engaged and work to ensure any revisions raise the standard for compliance and deliver protection, not just process.”
You can find details about the meeting HERE. The meeting is open to the public but will not be livestreamed. NATHPO will be following up with members after the meeting, and we will provide space for THPOs to hear from NATHPO and provide feedback on this critical subject.
#NATHPOConference2026 VENUE ANNOUNCED!
We're excited to announce to announce that NATHPO's 26th Annual Conference & Sacred Places Summit, which will take place August 24-28, 2026, will wake place at the Hotel Albuquerque. This property, located in the heart of Albuquerque, is ideally situated for travel to the various site visits we are planning, and will serve as a fabulous venue for the conference sessions and social gatherings that make NATHPO's conference an experience that is both meaningful and enjoyable. Stay tuned to NATHPO's website for more details, as well as opportunities to submit session proposals, book your room, and secure your spot at the conference!
ATTENTION THPOS: NEW SCHEDULE FOR THPO MEDICINE CIRCLES & POLICY FORUMS
After hearing feedback from members, NATHPO is changing the schedule for our THPO Medicine Circles & Policy Forums starting in February 2026. Instead of happening every other month, THPO Medicine Circles will happen on the THIRD Thursday of EVERY month. beginning in February. THPO Policy Forums will continue to happen on the FIRST Thursday of EVERY OTHER month, beginning in March.
Follow-up from the ACHP business meeting - particularly the discussion of Section 106 - will be one item on the agenda of the March 5 THPO Policy Forum, but please be assured this will not be the only opportunity for THPOs to hear from us, and for us to hear from you, about this critical topic.
As a reminder, THPO Policy Forums and Medicine Circles are intended for THPOs and THPO staff only. You DO NOT need to be a NATHPO member to attend.
HAPPENING FEBRUARY 10: NAFWS NEPA Workshop | On February 10 at 9 AM MT, the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society will host a workshop called “Applying the NEPA Process: Native American Tribal Concerns and Participation.” Details about the workshop, including registration, which is now open for non-members, can be found HERE.
HAPPENING FRIDAY: FCC Quarterly Informational Webinar | On Friday, February 13, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will hold their Quarterly Informational Webinar. According to the announcement, "The agenda will include updates on FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s Build America Agenda that includes eliminating barriers to wireline and wireless deployments, as well as updates on the FCC’s Broadband Data Task Force and efforts to strengthen 911 emergency calling." NATHPO has and will continue to make clear that "eliminating barriers to wireline and wireless deployments" must not circumvent the responsibility to consult with Tribal Nations and their THPOs to ensure the protection of sacred places and cultural resources. There will be time for Q&A. You can register for the session HERE.
STARTING IN FEBRUARY: 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.” 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 HAPPENINGS
THPO FUNDING UPDATE: Last month, President Trump signed into law H.R. 6938, a bill funding the Departments of Justice, Interior, Commerce, and Energy, along with the Environmental Protection Agency. This law includes $23.75 million in funding for Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (THPOs) for Fiscal Year 2026, which began on October 1, 2025. NATHPO thanks the overwhelming majority of Members in both chambers of Congress who voted to approve that funding and President Trump for signing it into law. Now we turn our attention to the work of making sure that funding is made available to THPOs as quickly as possible.
NATHPO ON THE HILL: Undeterred by icy weather, NATHPO Dr. Valerie Grussing, NATHPO’s Executive Director for Legislative Affairs & Strategic Partnerships, has been spending time on Capitol Hill meeting with legislative staff over the last several weeks advocating for additional resources for THPOs and for Congress to preserve Tribal Nations’ sovereign right to protect their sacred places and cultural resources. During her most recent Hill visit, Valerie also took time to meet with Michaela Pavlat (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians) Indigenous Partnerships Program Manager for the Mid-Atlantic Region at the National Parks Conservation Association. NPCA has been a reliable partner for NATHPO and THPOs. They understand and respect Tribal sovereignty and are committed to working with Tribal Nations to protect cultural resources and sacred places. We are also excited to work with NPCA’s new President and CEO Tiernan Sittenfeld, who starts in March.
TALKING THPOs, AND L.A.N.D.: Because of the winter storm, members of Team NATHPO couldn’t escape the cold to head down to the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s 8th Annual Energy Summit last month, but thankfully they were able to attend remotely. From the DC area, NATHPO Executive Directors Valerie Grussing and Ira Matt (Séliš) and Geospatial Director John Swigart presented to the audience of Tribal leaders and energy executives. They were joined by Tina Osceola, Executive Director of Operations and THPO Director for the Seminole Tribe of Florida, and Nick Butler, Chief Data Analyst in the Seminole Tribe’s Tribal Historic Preservation Office. The panel talked about the vital role THPOs play in preserving sacred places and cultural resources, and highlighted the work NATHPO, through John, is doing to develop our LAND (Location And Name Directory) Initiative, through which we are building an interactive geographic database to help ensure all the right Tribal Nations – and their THPOs – can be contacted for activities within their areas of interest.
Stay Tuned For Updates About NATHPO's 2026 Annual Conference!
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 (Location And 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.
NATHPO Community Calendar & Job Board & Grant Opportunities
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.
Thank you for all you do to protect culturally important places that perpetuate Native identity, resilience, and cultural endurance, and to empower Tribal preservation leaders.
Valerie J. Grussing, PhD
NATHPO Executive Director for Legislative Affairs & Strategic Partnerships valerie@nathpo.org | 202-628-8476
Ira L. Matt (Séliš)
NATHPO Executive Director for Indigenous Diplomacy & Federal Relations Ira@nathpo.org | 406-241-4927
THPOs: this is your organization! Your participation and support through membership and dues make our work possible. JOIN OR RENEW TODAY! Founded in 1998, the Association is a national non-profit membership organization of Tribal government officials who implement federal and Tribal preservation laws.
Ira L. Matt (Séliš)
