24th Annual National Tribal Preservation Conference (2024)

Preservation with Purpose: Cultivating Collaborative Partnerships

We'd like to give a heartfelt THANK YOU to the Ho-Chunk Nation for graciously agreeing to host us at the Ho-Chunk Gaming Resort Wisconsin Dells in Baraboo, WI.!

The conference theme of “Preservation with Purpose: Cultivating Collaborative Partnerships” reflects the importance of fostering meaningful connections among diverse sectors and stakeholders in the field of heritage preservation. It highlights the role of collaboration in achieving shared goals, enhancing mutual understanding, and creating positive impacts for both present and future generations. By emphasizing the purpose behind preservation, the theme also invites us to consider the values, stories, and identities that shape our cultural heritage, how we can communicate them effectively, and to what broader end.

From thought-provoking presentations to interactive workshops, our agenda offers a dynamic array of sessions tailored to inspire innovation, foster collaboration, and drive meaningful change.

Agenda Overview -

THPO Presentations
Regional Caucus Roundtables
Key Federal Updates: Our Expert Analysis
Site Tours
Cultural Exchange
Business Dinner
Networking Opportunities
Free Headshots Tuesday by Native Clarity

View Full Program Here

With deepest gratitude, we THANK our SPONSORS for their vital support. Your generosity propels us forward, shaping a brighter future together.

23rd Annual National Tribal Preservation Conference (2023)

2023 Annual NATHPO Conference - NATHPO

Voices of Truth: Our Knowledge, Our Power

NATHPO is extremely grateful to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians for partnering to host this joyful reunion of our vibrant THPO community.

We are excited to be meeting in person for the first time since 2018, when we were hosted by the Suquamish Tribe. This year, we are honored to be hosted by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and wish to extend our deepest appreciation to Principal Chief Richard Sneed and the EBCI Tribal Council for their hospitality!

We hope that this year’s conference will be a time of renewing ties, strengthening relationships, and making new friends. We have much to learn from one another, and we are stronger when we work together on the many challenges that Tribes continue to face in our work to protect and preserve Tribal culture and places. That includes welcoming our federal, state, and local agency partners and having the hard conversations about what Tribes need, while also acknowledging and improving on what works.

Information-

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: https://ebci.com/
Area sites and places of interest:
www.visitcherokeenc.com/eastern-band-of-the-cherokee/

Click here for the 2023 Final Program, including Agenda

NATHPO thanks our conference sponsors and supporters:

2nd Annual Sacred Places Summit: 2022

Second Annual Sacred Places Summit - Virtual

Sept. 21-22, 2022, 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Eastern) each day

This year’s theme is THPOs at 30 – Making Meaningful Mean Something.

The stars will align yet again with this year’s theme THPOs at 30 – Making Meaningful Mean Something. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the 1992 amendments to the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) that created the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO) program. What progress has been made in the last three decades, where are we now, and where should we be heading? Tribal, federal & state agency, legislative, and industry voices will engage in how to create lasting, transformational changes to Protect Native Places. As promised, we’ll also check on the progress made over the last year and identify goals to make meaningful strides forward in the year to come.

Click here for Agenda!

Presentations and links from 2022's Sacred Places Summit

NATHPO is proud to announce this year's Keynote Speaker: Dr. Len Necefer, Ph.D.
CEO & Founder of NativesOutdoors – a native-owned media consulting company.

He holds a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering and a Doctorate in Engineering and Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University. Previous to this role, Len worked for the U.S. Department of Energy and, most recently, the University of Arizona. His work melds the intersection of sport, environmental advocacy, and indigenous peoples. His storytelling also melds the intersection of sport, environmental advocacy, and indigenous people and has been featured in the Alpinist, National Geographic, and over 50 film festivals globally.

22nd Annual National Tribal Preservation Conference (2022)

2022 Annual NATHPO Conference - NATHPO

22nd Annual National Tribal Preservation Conference: This year’s conference theme is "Unity and Healing."
A Virtual Event Conference dates: February 22-25, 2022

22nd National Tribal Preservation Conference Agenda at a Glance
Native Voices – power in unity, healing in restoration.
When we speak with united voices, we are powerful.
When lands, languages, practices, and ancestors are restored, we heal.

This year’s theme is “Unity and Healing.”

When we speak with united voices, we are powerful.
When lands, languages, practices, and ancestors are restored, we heal.
When some of us are not whole, none of us are whole. This is also a historic moment of opportunity for elevating Native voices at the highest level. We must use this time to enact lasting transformational change for Tribal historic preservation.All things are bound together. All things connect.
--Chief Seattle (Suquamish & Duwamish)

1st Annual Sacred Places Summit: 2021

Sacred Sites Summit

The Stars Align to Protect Native Places
September 22-23, 2021
8:00am - 3:30pm PDT/11:00am - 6:30pm EDT

Hosted by

The time is here. In this historic moment, the stars have aligned – now is the time to work toward real solutions for protecting Tribal sacred sites. This event will be a powerful incubator of possibilities as we bring Tribes, legislators, and agency leadership and staff together to make change a reality.

If we and the earth are made from the same stuff,
our health and survival are linked to taking care of places.

Summit Presentations

ACHP Collaboration, Consultation & Consent, and Early Coordination

Canyon Country Cultural Landscapes: A Tribal Education and Community Engagement Resource

Canyon de Chelly National Monument: Planning Efforts

Joint Management at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

Click here for Sacred Sites Summit Press Release about Suzan Shown Harjo
Suzan Shown Harjo Bio

Click here for NATHPO Sacred Sites Summit Special Guest Announcement Press Release

Click here for Sacred Sites Summit Press Release

Connecting to place. While we work towards coming together safely again, we will offer virtual experiences to connect with the land and those who hold it sacred, grounding our purpose.

What is. What is the state of current sacred sites protection in the U.S.? What is the existing policy framework and what are the gaps from the Tribal perspective?

What should be. In a world where anything is possible, what is needed to close the gaps? What solutions would truly address the issues and protect places that define us?

Action. We will catalyze real progress by defining recommendations and deliberate, measurable steps forward for preservation and reconciliation.

Sacred Sites Summit Agenda

NATHPO invites you to be a part of this summit and the momentum it will create.
We want people like you there who can take the recommendations and put them into action.

Join the community of changemakers to help

PROTECT NATIVE PLACES

21st Annual National Tribal Preservation Conference (2020/2021)

21st National Tribal Preservation Conference
Resilience in a Changing Environment
January 27 & 28, 2021

We are excited to announce the 21st Annual Tribal Historic Preservation Conference is Virtual! And will be hosted by the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana January 27 & 28, 2021! This year’s conference theme is “Resilience in a Changing Environment.” The significance is two-fold, reflecting the growing challenges faced by tribal historic preservation leaders in adapting to and mitigating impacts to significant places from both a changing global climate and an altered political landscape. This is also a time of exciting transition and a new direction for NATHPO. If our greatest opportunities come from our greatest challenges, how can we use this time to maximize positive outcomes for tribal historic preservation?

The coronavirus (COVID-19) circumstances make a virtual meeting necessary at this time, especially the CDC’s recommendation that all gatherings of 50 people or more. The Board is concerned about the health and safety of our members, conference participants, and their loved ones.

Presentations:

Welcome remarks of David Sickey, Tribal Chairman of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana
Short presentation on NHPA and landscapes by Wesley James Furlong, Staff Attorney, at Native American Rights Fund
Review of the THPO Toolkit history and prospects by John R. Welch with a slide introducing Stacy Ryan and the BIA-Archaeology Southwest ARPA Assistance Initiative
Slide with SaveHistory.org contact information

Website for the Berkeley Law Tribal Cultural Resources Project: https://sites.law.berkeley.edu/tribal-cultural-resources-project/ The Project aims to provide training, technical assistance, advocacy support, and institutional capacity building services to California Native Nations seeking to protect, advocate, preserve, and/or repatriate their Tribal Cultural Resources.

20th Annual National Tribal Preservation Conference (2018)

2018 National Tribal Preservation Conference
September 10-14, 2018

NATHPO’s 2018 National Tribal Preservation Conference was hosted by the Suquamish Tribe of Washington during the week of September 10, 2018. The year theme was “Tribal Consultation in Indian Country” and focused on federal agencies’ efforts to engage Indian tribes.

Conference Agenda and Program:
Click here for final conference agenda and program

Power Point Presentations:
Click here for presentation on FCC litigation

Click here for presentation, “Overcoming Institutional Resistance to Traditional Cultural Properties”

Click here for presentation, “Negotiating and Enforcing Programmatic Agreements”

Click here to go to the Suquamish Tribe’s website

19th National Tribal Preservation Conference (2017)

NATHPO concluded the 19th National Tribal Preservation Conference that was hosted by the Pala Band of Mission Indians at their Pala Casino Spa Resort in Pala, California, the week of August 7, 2017.

Click here for 2017 Final Program, including Agenda (low resolution version)

NATHPO thanks our conference sponsors and supporters:

* Pala Band of Mission Indians and Pala Casino Spa Resort
* San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
* Yoche Dehe Wintun Nation — Cultural Resources & Seka Hills Olive Mill and Tasting Room
* California Office of Historic Preservation
* San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians
* Pauma Band of Mission Indians
* Barona Band of Mission Indians
* Michelle Holiday & Associates
* Click here for complete list

Conference Presentations (in Word, PDF or power point):

Janet Pfleeger/FPISC presentation for “Tribal Consultation for Federal Infrastructure Projects”

“Victory for the Kumeyaay Tribes” presentation

“A Repatriation Story: The Return of the Miami National Council Journals”

“GAO’s Audit of Trafficking of Native American Cultural Items”

“International Affairs at the Department of the Interior”

Wednesday, August 9, 2017:

DHS presentation, “Program Comment for Telecommunications Projects on Federal Land”

ACHP document, Program Comment for Communications Projects on Federal Lands and Property

“FERC 2017 Guidelines for Reporting on Cultural Resources Investigations for Natural Gas Projects”

New ACHP Webpage on Sec. 106 and Infrastructure Projects

ACHP Report, “Improving Tribal Consultation in Infrastructure Projects”

Interagency (Interior-Army-Justice) January 2017 Report, “Improving Tribal Consultation and Tribal Involvement in Federal Infrastructure Decisions”

“Using TCP Recognition to Enhance Legal Advocacy and Litigation Strategy” (some photos removed to reduce document size)

“GAO’s Audit of Federal Agencies’ Tribal Consultation Practices”

Thursday, August 10, 2017 and Friday, August 11, 2017:

FCC presentation 1 of 2

FCC presentation 2 of 2

Meeting and lodging was at the Pala Casino Spa Resort
Click here for link to host location

18th National Tribal Preservation Conference (2016)

In 2016 NATHPO conducted the 18th National Tribal Preservation Conference and the Federal Communications Commission Section 106 Summit that was hosted by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe in Ignacio, Colorado, the week of August 29, 2016.

Meeting and lodging was at the Sky Ute Casino Resort
Click here for Sky Ute Casino Resort website

CONFERENCE AGENDA:
Click here for link to conference program

TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2016, PRESENTATIONS:
For Legislative Update by Adam Jones:
* Click here for HPF funding levels-NTHP chart
* Click here for HPF funding levels-NATHPO chart
Ute Culture in Utah National Parks
* Click here for presentation
Defense Dept. and NATHPO Sacred Sites Project
* Click here for presentation
NRCS/U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Presentation:
* Click here for NRCS presentation
* Click here for draft guidance
* Click here for evaluation form
Dept. of Homeland Security Standard Treatment Presentation:
* Click here for DHS presentation
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation – 50th Anniversary NHPA
* Click here for discussion document

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016, PRESENTATIONS:
Update on Indian Arts & Crafts Act
* Click here for presentation
For Aaron M. Sims Presentation – 3 files:
* Click here for legal document
* Click here for H.Con.Res. 122
* Click here for S. 3127
International Repatriation Session:
* Click here for more information on International Repatriation Session
* Click here for additional information – statement
* Click here for previously submitted comments
Luncheon Speaker: Mark Maryboy on Bears Ears
* Click here for link to 4 minute video
* Click here for link to more information about inter-tribal effort

THURSDAY & FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1-2, 2016:
FCC-NATHPO Section 106 Summit
* Click here for agenda (also in the NATHPO conference agenda and program) ****This PDF could not be found****
* Click here for twilight towers term sheet

Updated September 6, 2016.

17th National Tribal Preservation Conference & FCC Summit (2015)

NATHPO’s annual conference was held the week of August 17, 2015, at the Route 66 Casino Hotel in New Mexico. Route 66 Casino Hotel is associated with the Pueblo of Laguna.

Conference Agenda and Program

NATHPO thanks our conference sponsors and supporters:

“FCC-NATHPO SUMMIT ON TRIBAL CULTURAL PRESERVATION”
The FCC and NATHPO collaborated on a summit to discuss tribal cultural preservation issues related to their federal agency that was open to representatives of Tribal Nations only.

Click here for Summit announcement

Click here for Summit Agenda

FCC Summit Handouts:

Click here for TCNS Part I

Click here for TCNS Part II

Click here for PTC

Click here for DAS-Small Cell Scoping

Click here for DAS-Small Cell Full Scoping

Click here for DAS-Small Cell

Click here for Twilight Towers

PRE-CONFERENCE TRAINING WORKSHOPS
conducted Monday, August 17, 2015

This year NATHPO collaborated with the American Indian Language Development Institute (AILDI), Google Earth Outreach, and the National Park Service (NPS) to offer exciting new educational opportunities for THPOs and other tribal staff. These unique training opportunities were held in conjunction with the 17th National Tribal Preservation Conference.

More Information on the Three Training Opportunities
offered on Monday, August 17, 2015:

1. “Recording Traditional Talk: Land, Plant and Animal Restoration” training workshop, led by Tyler Peterson, Luis Barragan and Alyce Sadongei, AILDI (limited to 20 participants).
This intensive one-day workshop will focus on documenting traditional ecological knowledge and developing language tools and teaching materials based on the natural environment. Learn how to use outdoor surroundings to create products for use in documenting, teaching and learning such as topical dictionaries, story collections based on plants and animals and digital collections of plants and landscapes.
Click here for final Talk workshop schedule

2. “Indigenous Mapping Workshop” led by Raleigh Seamster, Google Earth Outreach (limited to 20 people).
Learn how to map culturally significant locations, incorporating stories, photos, and videos. Participants will also learn how to overlay a proposed project footprint onto an existing map of areas containing tribal cultural resource values. Session also includes an overview of the general range of Google mapping tools available for historic preservation and cultural perpetuation and how these tools are being used by indigenous communities. Click here for Google workshop agenda

3. “THPO Toolkit Training” workshop, led by Dr. John Welch for NATHPO using the THPO Toolkit that was developed by NATHPO with partial funding provided by the NPS (limited to 25 participants).
This educational session will focus on pertinent issues faced by THPOs and their staff and is geared for new THPOs and those seeking basic training. Topics include, but are not limited to: the THPO-Federal Preservation Program Relationship; Strategic Planning to Scope and Focus THPO Programs; Survey, Inventory, and National Register Programs; Section 106 Dynamics; Advising and Cooperating with other Governments; THPOs as Sovereignty Advocates; and more. Click here for Toolkit workshop agenda

16th NATHPO Conference (2014)

15th Annual NATHPO Meeting (2013)

14th Annual NATHPO Meeting (2012)

13th Annual NATHPO Meeting

12th Annual NATHPO Meeting

11th Annual NATHPO Meeting

10th Annual NATHPO Meeting

9th Annual NATHPO Meeting

8th Annual NATHPO Meeting

7th Annual NATHPO Meeting

6th Annual NATHPO Meeting

5th Annual NATHPO Meeting

4th Annual NATHPO Meeting & NAGPRA Training Session

3rd Annual NATHPO Meeting & NAGPRA Workshop

Hosted by the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation
Warm Springs, Oregon
May 29-June 1, 2001
Participating Federal Agencies and Other Sponsoring Organizations: U.S. Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Services, USDA-Forest Service, Department of Transportation-Federal Highway Administration, Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, Bonneville Power Administration, Energy Department, and Health & Human Services Administration for Native Americans

2nd Annual NATHPO Meeting & Special Tribal Workshop on THPO Status

1st Annual NATHPO Meeting

NATHPO Conferences

Our 25th Annual Conference will again be in person for 2025, stay tuned for more details!!

Sept. 21-22, 2022, 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Eastern) each day

Sacred Sites Summit

Summit Presentations

Sacred Sites Summit Agenda

National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers