Protecting Greater Chaco – Important Updates

Protecting Greater Chaco
Acoma Pueblo tribal Gov. Brian Vallo told members of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources at a hearing in New Mexico that not enough is being done to safeguard sacred sites scattered beyond the national park at Chaco Canyon. Many of the sites involve more than just physical features that can be surveyed by archaeologists, he said, referring to the less tangible aspects of Chaco. “Only we can identify these resources,” he said. http://bit.ly/2V0pGkL – Colorado Public Radio

During the first of several congressional hearings, lawmakers, tribal leaders and environmentalists spoke about the need for stronger federal oil and gas regulations, particularly the importance of protecting Chaco Culture National Historical Park and the greater Chaco region from lasting degradation. Last week, New Mexico Democratic Reps. Ben Ray Luján and Deb Haaland helped co-sponsor the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act, a bill that would block more than 316,000 acres around Chaco Canyon from oil, gas and other mineral extraction. http://bit.ly/2V3CQx7 – Santa Fe New Mexican

The congressional field hearing came just weeks after members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation introduced legislation that would prevent the sale of oil and gas leases on federally owned lands within 10 miles of Chaco Culture National Historic Park, a site considered sacred by many Native Americans. In response to questioning, several tribal leaders said Monday that they support the legislation, though at least one Navajo Nation resident voiced concern about how it would affect allotments owned by tribal members. U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., accused opponents of the bill of spreading misinformation and said the legislation would apply only to federally owned land. “This should not be controversial,” Luján said during Monday’s hearing. http://bit.ly/2V3Eajz – Albuquerque Journal

Watch a recording of the hearing from Facebook Live here: http://bit.ly/2U6kCXy – House Committee on Natural Resources-Dems

Commentary: A few miles north of Chaco Canyon lie the remains of an ancient outpost. It was undoubtedly an imposing and impressive place several centuries ago. Built atop a towering butte, it would have been visible for many miles. At night, great fires would have urged weary travelers onward, while sending a powerful message of warning to the unwelcome. Even now, at sunset, for example, or when the wind rises, it is an evocative and powerful place. http://bit.ly/2UW8tZt – Paul Reed in the Santa Fe New Mexican

Paul Reed’s written testimony in full (opens as a PDF): http://bit.ly/2KTc6vM

Commentary: Toward Restorative Justice
“As Native Americans, we are in a constant state of mourning,” Desiree Martinez, a Tongva member and professional archaeologist, said in an article in The Bristol News, “knowing that our ancestors’ graves have been disturbed and their remains and burial goods removed to sit on museum shelves, all over the world.” The return of these two Tongva ancestors could easily pass almost unnoticed. However, the repatriation is emblematic of a much larger movement of historical reckoning sweeping across the globe. Museums are reconsidering who is the rightful owner of the objects that fill displays and storerooms. https://nyti.ms/2V2PDQI – Chip Colwell in the New York Times

“How’s That Lawsuit Going?”
We are proud to join several Native American Tribes (Hopi, Navajo Nation, Ute, Ute Mountain Ute, and Zuni) and conservation nonprofits in the Bears Ears litigation, including our co-plaintiffs: Utah Diné Bikéyah, Friends of Cedar Mesa, Conservation Lands Foundation, Archaeology Southwest, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Society of Vertebrate Paleontology and Access Fund. These two national monuments were designated to protect a multitude of sites of cultural significance to Native Americans. The facts aren’t in dispute; all five cases come down to what the Antiquities Act does—or doesn’t—say. http://bit.ly/2V0opKv – Patagonia

Travel Management Planning on Tonto National Forest
After a decade of study and re-study, the Tonto National Forest has released the latest — and maybe final — version of its plan to protect the forest by limiting off-roaders to a network of 6,000 established miles of roads and trails. Among other things, the draft of the final plan would ban off-roaders from most of the Payson Area Trail System (PATS), a move designed to protect the popular system of hiking and bike riding trails… The draft environmental statement acknowledged the difficulty of balancing incompatible uses. Any off-road use affects erosion, wildlife and archaeological sites. http://bit.ly/2V7YJeT – Payson Roundup

(Editors’ note – Background information on Archaeology Southwest’s study of how motorized vehicle use impacts archaeological sites (2014) is here: http://bit.ly/2V2R8hI.)

Celebration of Life in Honor of Jane Hill
Here’s an update about the upcoming Celebration of Life in Honor of Jane Hill to be held on April 27, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Tucson Marriott University Park, 880 E 2nd St. The program for the afternoon was created with extensive input from Jane’s widower, Ken. The celebration will last for three hours, with the following approximate schedule: The first 30 minutes will be a meet and greet; the next hour and a half will begin with remembrances of selected aspects of Jane’s life and end with an open mic where other people in attendance can share their remembrances; the final hour will be devoted to a general gathering, with mingling, reminiscing, and greeting Jane’s family. Refreshments will be served.

Publication Announcement: The Continuous Path
The Continuous Path: Pueblo Movement and the Archaeology of Becoming, edited by Samuel Duwe and Robert W. Preucel. Amerind Studies in Anthropology, University of Arizona Press. http://bit.ly/2V4rKIo

Forthcoming Publication: A Diné History of Navajoland
A Diné History of Navajoland, by Klara Kelley and Harris Francis. University of Arizona Press, October 2019. http://bit.ly/2UYvds5

Exhibition and Panel Discussion, New Mexico State University
Spectacular pottery designed and crafted by people of the Mimbres Valley and surrounding areas from A.D. 1000 to 1130 will be on display at the American Indian Student Center at New Mexico State University from April 26 through December 15 as part of the exhibition titled “Living In Sacred Continuum.” A panel of Native American artists will share interpretations about the pottery’s designs during a panel discussion from 1-4 p.m. Friday, April 26, at the American Indian Student Center.

Lecture Opportunity, Santa Fe NM
Southwest Seminars Presents Ron Barber, Rock Art Researcher, Founder, The Stone Calendar Project and Engineer, Los Alamos National Laboratory, who will give a lecture “Ringing Rocks of the Southwest” on April 22 at 6:00 p.m. at Hotel Santa Fe as part of the Ancient Sites Ancient Stories II Lecture Series held to honor and acknowledge The Archaeology Conservancy. Admission is by subscription or $15 at the door. No reservations are necessary. Refreshments are served. Seating is limited. Contact Connie Eichstaedt at tel: 505 366-2775; email: southwestseminar@aol.com; web: southwestseminars.org

Lecture Opportunity, Tucson AZ
On Tuesday, May 7, at 7:00 p.m., at the Presidio San Agustín del Tucson Museum, a collateral descendant of Tucson founder Hugo O’Conor, Dr. Kieran O’Conor, will talk about the origins and subsequent history of the O’Conors, and the archaeology associated with the clan along with the importance of cultural heritage tourism. He blends his own personal heritage with his archaeological expertise to share a little bit about Tucson, the Irish and how they are still connected. He will also comment on the well-known portrait of Hugo. Is it really him? $15 for members, $20 for non-members. http://www.TucsonPresidio.com

We’re happy to help get the word out, but we’re not mind readers! Please submit news, book announcements, and events at this link for consideration: https://www.archaeologysouthwest.org/submit-to-sat/

Questions? sat-editor@archaeologysouthwest.org