...and Tribes: Lessons from Our Worldview and Search for a Partner in Preservation

Summary

This is an abstract from the "United States Archaeology at Crossroads Part 1: The Obstacles, the Failures, and the Victories" session, at the 90th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Indian tribes are often listed last in any preservation literature. This unfortunate placement in the language has left many tribal preservation officials feeling like the “last check box” in preservation processes, leading to many misunderstandings and hard feelings. It does not have to be this way. Tribes are looking to be treated as the sovereign nations they are and as integral partners in preservation. As the preservation community finds itself at a crossroads, unsure on what direction to take, it is time for them to listen to the lessons tribes have learned over the many years of advocating for their ancestors. If the broader preservation community is ready to listen to the tribes and be a meaningful partner together, we can navigate the crossroads together into a brighter future. It is through the long history of tribal sovereignty that provides lessons to the broader preservation community on how to navigate these crossroads.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 90th Annual Meeting, Denver, CO (2025)   •
• United States Archaeology at Crossroads Part 1: The Obstacles, the Failures, and the Victories

Keywords

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 51542