Appendix H - Historical Archaeological and ... - CBP.gov
Appendix H - Historical Archaeological and ... - CBP.gov
Appendix H - Historical Archaeological and ... - CBP.gov
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2 NATIVE AMERICAN SACRED SITES AND<br />
TRADITIONAL CULTURAL PROPERTIES<br />
2.1 INTRODUCTION<br />
This section includes brief descriptions of Native American sacred sites <strong>and</strong> Traditional Cultural<br />
Properties (TCP) in the four geographic regions (encompassing 13 states) that are within the 100-<br />
mile corridor of the northern border project area. Much of this information is highly protected<br />
<strong>and</strong> is difficult, <strong>and</strong> often impossible, to obtain. Additional information about these properties<br />
may be obtained during the Section 106 consultation process.<br />
Cultural resources may include Traditional Cultural Places or sacred sites as outlined in National<br />
Register Bulletin 38 (cf., Parker <strong>and</strong> King, 1991, 1992; Hadley, 1993; Staap <strong>and</strong> Burney, 2002).<br />
Additional relevant legislation includes the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), the<br />
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Native American Graves Protection <strong>and</strong><br />
Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), <strong>and</strong> the American Indian Religious Freedom Act. Native<br />
American sacred sites <strong>and</strong> TCPs certainly exist within the northern border project area. However,<br />
these property types present specific challenges in regard to identification, because no single<br />
database exists for this purpose. There are also several challenges to ascribing cultural affiliation<br />
to a specific sacred site or TCPs for the purposes of consultation.<br />
Examples of some categories of Native American sacred sites <strong>and</strong> TCPs that occur within the<br />
northern border project area include:<br />
<br />
<br />
Burials sites<br />
Notable Places <strong>and</strong>/or L<strong>and</strong>marks<br />
Places of religious significance<br />
Several forms of data can typically be used to ascribe cultural affiliation to a specific sacred site<br />
or TCPs for the purposes of consultation. However, in some instances insufficient data may<br />
preclude an objective valid conclusion concerning cultural affiliation. Several groups may claim<br />
cultural ties to or ownership of a specific sacred site or TCP. The absence of a sacred sites <strong>and</strong><br />
TCP database might require the collection of some basic information as to the range of resources<br />
that are likely to provide information in regard to sacred sites <strong>and</strong> TCPs within the northern<br />
border project area. Some likely archives or organizations to contact to learn of the scope of<br />
their holdings for primary, secondary, <strong>and</strong> ethnographic data include various Native <strong>and</strong> ethnic<br />
cultural groups, local <strong>and</strong> state libraries, historical societies, <strong>and</strong> preservation organizations,<br />
folklore societies, <strong>and</strong> universities <strong>and</strong> colleges. Oral interviews with individuals who may<br />
possess firsth<strong>and</strong> knowledge of or have researched Native American sacred sites <strong>and</strong> TCPs might<br />
also be productive. Information can be tabulated manually or digitized in a geographic<br />
information system (GIS) format for more powerful use.<br />
Northern Border Activities H-127 July 2012