The Kiva at Nambé Pueblo New Mexico / Wikipedia - John Phelan
The National Park Service (NPS) signed agreements with six Tribal nations during the 2024 fiscal year, transferring specific historic preservation responsibilities to these Tribes. These responsibilities, typically handled by state governments, will now be managed directly by the Tribes on their lands. The agreements were finalized as part of the NPS's Tribal Historic Preservation Program, which operates under the National Historic Preservation Act to help federally recognized Tribes strengthen their preservation efforts through Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (THPOs).
The following Tribal nations joined more than 220 others already partnering with the NPS to establish THPOs:
- Tule River Indian Tribe (California)
- Pueblo of Nambé (New Mexico)
- Rappahannock Tribe (Virginia)
- Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (Michigan)
- Nisqually Indian Tribe (Washington)
- Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma
Each Tribe works with the NPS to develop a detailed program plan, a process that can take a year or longer. The NPS also collaborates with State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs) and other Tribal and federal partners to finalize the plan and formalize the agreement.
Through THPO agreements, Tribes take on key historic preservation responsibilities, including educating the public, providing training, offering technical support, and conducting surveys to identify and protect historic sites. For instance, in 2023, the Walker River Paiute Tribe’s THPO played a crucial role in responding to major flooding on their reservation in Nevada. They surveyed and documented cultural resources across over 23,000 acres, helping draft preservation strategies to safeguard their cultural heritage against future disasters.
The NPS works with all 574 federally recognized Tribes in the United States to support the development of new THPO programs. For more information about the Tribal Historic Preservation Program, visit nps.gov/thpoprogram.
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Trump should transfer mangement of the NPS, BLM and USFS to the tribes. There is a growing movement advocating for Native American tribes to manage National Park Service (NPS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) lands. The reasoning stems from the tribes' deep historical and cultural connections to these lands, their traditional ecological knowledge, and their demonstrated commitment to sustainable stewardship.
Historically, many lands now under federal management were forcibly taken from Indigenous peoples. Allowing tribes to manage these lands would not only be a step toward justice but also a practical move toward better conservation. Tribal management practices often emphasize long-term ecological balance, informed by centuries of observing and living in harmony with the land. Examples such as controlled burns to prevent wildfires and sustainable harvesting techniques highlight the efficacy of their approaches.
Native-led management of these lands could also preserve sacred sites and culturally significant areas, ensuring they are respected and protected. By returning management authority to tribes, the federal government would recognize the sovereignty of Indigenous nations and their unique expertise in caring for the environment. Critics argue about potential logistical or legal complications, but advocates highlight successful co-management initiatives already in place as evidence of the feasibility of broader tribal stewardship.