Tribal and Indigenous Peoples


The Office of External Engagement (OEE) oversees the ACHP’s engagement with Indigenous communities. OEE provides information and education to Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs) on the National Historic Preservation Act and Section 106 process. OTIP is integral to ensuring ACHP meets its federal trust responsibility to Tribes and Tribal consultation responsibilities under the NHPA and Section 106 review process while upholding the federal government-to-government relationship with Tribes. OEE also works closely with the ACHP’s Indian Tribe/Native Hawaiian member to address critical issues brought to the ACHP by Indian Tribes, NHOs, and others working within historic preservation.

Authorities

National Historic Preservation Act

36 CFR PART 800 -- Protection of Historic Properties 

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Training and Guidance

In order to facilitate consultation with Indian Tribes and NHOs, ACHP staff regularly develops guidance materials to assist Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, federal agencies, and other Section 106 participants. Follow the link Training and Guidance for the ACHP's training and guidance for Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and federal agencies. 

Native American Communities and Section 106

In 1992, the National Historic Preservation Act was amended to include and clarify the roles and responsibilities of Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations. Responding to the NHPA amendments, the ACHP began a six-year process of revising its regulations and adopted policy statements regarding Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations. Follow the link ACHP Native American Policies to see or download the Native American policies.

Government-to-Government

The ACHP, as a federal agency, recognizes the government-to-government relationship between the United States and federally recognized Indian Tribes and acknowledges Indian Tribes as sovereign nations with inherent powers of self-governance. Follow the link Government-to-Government Consultation with Indian Tribes to see the ACHP's documents on the government-to-government relationship.

Native American Information Papers

OEE supports the ACHP in a number of ways, including as subject matter experts on laws, executive actions, federal and Tribal policies, and program matters related to Native American issues relevant to the NHPA and Section 106 process. OEE reviews projects, trains and educates Tribes and NHOs, provides guidance to ACHP staff and federal agencies on NHPA requirements for Tribal and NHO engagement, and develops information papers about various topics concerning Indian Tribes and NHOs. Information papers are different than guidance documents and discuss issues that may inform participants in the Section 106 process.

Other Native American Resources

Follow Other Native American Resources for links to inter-Tribal organizations and other federal agency American Indian or Native Hawaiian programs.

Tribal and Indigenous Peoples in Historic Preservation

Major Initiatives

The history of the United States is enhanced by the people who make up this nation.
Understanding Indigenous Knowledge can help inform and streamline the Section 106 process for practitioners.
In the Section 106 context, the term “sacred sites” is sometimes used as shorthand for historic properties of religious and cultural significance to Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. As with other kinds of properties, sacred sites must be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places in order to be considered in the Section 106 process.
Early consultation and coordination with Tribes, ideally in the pre-application stage, can be beneficial and time-saving to federal agencies and applicants and better ensure that sites of cultural and religious significance to Tribes are protected.
In recognition that large scale historic properties of significance to Indian Tribes and NHOs may be impacted by undertakings under Section 106, the ACHP launched a Native American traditional cultural landscapes initiative and adopted an action plan in November 2011.

Interested in ACHP's Native Youth program?

Learn more about preservation as a potential career choice and making your voice heard in protecting your heritage.

Need Section 106 Consultation Assistance?

The Office of Federal Agency Programs has staff assigned to help Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations with various federal agencies.

Indian Tribe & Native Hawaiian Preservation Success Stories

The completed Cathlapotle Plankhouse

Cathlapotle

Ridgefield, Washington

The Columbia River Village of Cathlapotle teaches the present about the past.

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