The Jemez Mountains Ethnohistoric Assessment: a Critical Examination of an Alternative Approach to Consultation

Summary

Most consultation occurs as part of NEPA and/or Section 106 compliance. That is, there is a predefined, location specific undertaking that concerns traditional communities, such as Native American entities, who are contacted and with whom consultation occurs. This is not, however, the only, or even the best, process by which traditional peoples may be included in consultations with land managers. Some land managing agencies have recently been adopting more proactive approaches. One example of such an approach is that recently followed by Santa Fe National Forest staff. This approach was designed to create and foster on-going communication with traditional communities concerning projects within those portions of their traditional lands under management by the Forest Service in the Jemez Mountains of central New Mexico. This approach included the initiation of consultation with both Native American tribes and traditional Hispanic organizations well in advance of the federal actions. This paper examines the original concept of the consultation, how it was implemented, and results. Difficulties and drawbacks (as well as strengths and benefits) of the approach are discussed.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Collaborative and Community Archaeology   •
• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 13227