Incorporating Indigenous Knowledge Toward the Protection of Historic Properties In November 2022, the Administration released guidance recognizing the valuable contributions of Indigenous Knowledge, stressing the importance of its inclusion and consideration in federal decision making in a manner that is guided by respect for the sovereignty and self-determination of Tribes, the government-to-government relationship between the U.S. and Tribes and the former’s trust responsibility, and the need for the
HIGHLIGHTS
» The U.S. Geological Service (USGS) recognizes that Indigenous Knowledge and cultural traditions result in unique perspectives that enrich agency research. Accordingly, USGS is seeking to increase the sensitivity and openness of its scientists to the breadth of Indigenous Knowledge, expanding the information on which its research is based. USGS’s scientific studies associated with Tribal nations and Native lands include data collection, mapping, and natural resource modeling. » NOAA has recently developed updated Tribal Consultation Handbook and Indigenous Knowledge Guidance documents. While encompassing broader agency missions, this updated document will provide guidance to historic preservation practitioners involved in NOAA’s work, to ensure consistent and comprehensive communication with Tribes and NHOs. » Two DoD directives, DoDI 4710.02 and DoDI 4710.03, establish policy, assign responsibilities, and provide procedures for DoD’s interactions with federally recognized Tribes and NHOs. Both consultation policies are being updated to include language strengthening the consideration of Indigenous Knowledge shared by Tribes and NHOs as expert evidence or opinion. DoD recognizes that the use of Indigenous Knowledge in consultations, policies, research, and decision making leads to stronger working relationships with Indigenous communities and will continue to work with its Military Departments to develop an approach to Indigenous Knowledge that is appropriate for the national defense mission, Tribes, and Indigenous Peoples with whom they partner and communities they serve. » The Western Area Power Administration has improved its Tribal government-to- government consultation efforts to include listening sessions, consistent with the White House memo on Indigenous Knowledge, and is working to integrate Indigenous Knowledge into its National Environmental Policy Act analysis and Section 106 consultations.
The application of Indigenous Knowledge in federal agency planning can also assist agencies in the protection of the natural and cultural resources they steward from the effects of climate change. For example, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) is developing a database of carbon dioxide and methane intakes and emissions in mangrove ecosystems in south Florida. The Carbon Monitoring System BlueFlux Outreach project involved consultation with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, and the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, aligning the Tribes’ interests and dedication to both understanding climate change and the protection of the mangroves, which are
consent of and honest engagement with Tribes and Indigenous Peoples. The ACHP has long recognized the vitally important role that Indigenous Knowledge plays in Section 106-related decision making and has advised agencies extensively on how to incorporate it into their historic preservation programs. The Administration’s guidance followed a White House memo in November 2021 that recognized Indigenous Knowledge as one of the many important bodies of knowledge that contributes to the scientific, technical, social, and economic advancements of the U.S., and to collective understanding of the natural world. Consistent with this guidance, agencies reported on the ways they are incorporating Indigenous Knowledge into agency- and department-wide policies and decision making, sharing examples of the methods, guidance, and best practices they are using to engage with Tribes and NHOs for preserving historic properties of concern to them. Agencies reported adoption of various internal policies regarding Indigenous Knowledge implemented during the reporting period.
Mount Garfield Middle School students listen to
Betsy Chapoose and Daniel Chapoose discuss Ute ties to the land and cultural sensitivity. (Matt Heinritz/BLM)
an integral part of both their history and future. NASA GSFC continues to work with the Miccosukee to develop further plans for educational outreach for Tribal students over the course of this project.
Members of a NASA field survey team traverse a flooded mangrove forest in southern Florida as part of the BlueFlux Outreach project. (NASA)
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