National Monument Reductions, Two Years Later

Commentary: “Relentless assault” in the Two Years Since National Monument Reductions
This week marks the two-year anniversary of the Trump administration’s decision to decimate two national monuments located in Utah. With the stroke of a pen, the president removed protections on 85% of the Bears Ears National Monument and 50% of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The president’s action was the single largest reduction of protected public lands in the history of the United States. It put more than 100,000 cultural and archeological treasures at risk from industrial development, off-road traffic and looting. It shredded an historic management agreement among five tribal nations. http://bit.ly/2se9XSo – Tracy Stone-Manning in the Salt Lake Tribune

Commentary: “Clock is ticking” on One-Year Ban Protecting Chaco
The clock is ticking. It has been almost exactly six months since Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt agreed to halt oil and gas lease sales within a ten-mile buffer zone surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park for one year. That means we are halfway to the end of Interior’s temporary ban on new developments near the park, and the fate of the Greater Chaco Landscape remains in limbo. The good news is that New Mexico’s Congressional delegation is leading the way to ensure that this area, which holds deep meaning to many tribes throughout the Four Corners area, including New Mexico’s Pueblos and to the Navajo Nation – is permanently protected as it deserves to be. http://bit.ly/36lgQ2W – Paul Reed at Protect Chaco

Proposed Highway Threatens Red Cliffs National Conservation Area
Today, Conserve Southwest Utah issued the following statement regarding the proposed Northern Corridor Highway through Red Cliffs National Conservation Area. This statement comes in response to the news that BLM is now accepting public comments on three management plans that include the proposed highway development. The public comment period will last only 30 days. “The proposed Northern Corridor highway would severely damage Red Cliffs National Conservation Area (NCA) and set a dangerous precedent around development on public lands throughout our state and the country.” http://bit.ly/34VodOd – Conservation Lands Foundation

Editors’ note: In addition to Mojave desert tortoise habitat and other natural wonders, this NCA also protects petroglyphs and other heritage resources.

Interview with Jennifer Day, Indian Arts Research Center
I recently walked over to the Indian Arts Research Center to talk to Jennifer Day, registrar and administrator of the collections database that stores information on the more than twelve thousand pieces of Native American art housed in the IARC. Parts of the extensive collection of Southwestern Native art are now accessible through SAR’s eMuseum, which Day was instrumental in creating. As we talked, she told me about the collections review process that contributed to the development of eMuseum. http://bit.ly/2sfhYq2 -School for Advanced Research

Job Opportunity, Arizona Game and Fish Department
The Cultural Resource Compliance Manager will be responsible for supporting the Department’s Project Evaluation Program (PEP) which provides environmental services through compliance with regulatory requirements and assuring that all Department projects comply with environmental laws. This position will advise, facilitate and plan the protection, preservation and management of historic and archaeological resources for Arizona Game and Fish Commission properties and activities. REQUISITION # 52465 / CLOSING DATE: 1/10/2020. http://bit.ly/2LIRcgH – Arizona Game and Fish Department

Internship Opportunity, Museum of Indian Arts and Cultures
The Museum of Indian Arts & Culture has a paid student internship available for this spring semester, to assist with moving our archaeological ceramic vessel collection from the main museum building to our off-site repository. This phase of the move is supported by an IMLS grant. The internship requires 150 hours of service and provides a stipend of $2,250 for the semester. To apply, please email your resume or curriculum vitae (including references), unofficial transcripts, a cover letter explaining your interest in the internship, and one letter of recommendation to julia.clifton@state.nm.us by midnight, Tuesday, January 7, 2020.

Student Award Opportunity, American Rock Art Research Association
The student research award is a research award of up to $2500 for a graduate-level student. Award funds are for reimbursement of research expenses in order to publish a thesis, dissertation, or peer-reviewed academic paper as part of a student’s academic program. https://arara.wildapricot.org/Student-Research-Award

Sonoran Symposium Update
The Sonoran Symposium is a unique, immersive conference organized by representatives from the Tohono O’odham Nation, Mexico and the United States. Held in Ajo, AZ, the symposium brings together academic researchers, government agency professionals, students, artists, traditional subject matter experts, and members of the public to share presentations and dialogue about the dynamics of natural and cultural ecology, environmental challenges, and their relationships to peoples—past and present—living in the Sonoran Desert. It is casual and supportive environment–a great place for first time presenters and/or students looking for experience presenting in a conference setting. Both presentations and posters are needed for all subjects, but especially archaeology, anthropology/ethnography, cultural resource management, and tribal partnerships taking place in the Sonoran Desert. Abstracts are now due December 18. Contact Lauren Kingston with questions at lauren_kingston@nps.gov; especially if you are interested but may need a little extra time beyond the deadline of the 18th. https://www.sonoransymposium.com/index.html

Save the Date: Nevada Archaeological Association to Meet in Pahrump in March
The Nevada Archaeological Association will meet in Pahrump March 6 thru 8, 2020. Pahrump is about 40 miles northwest of Las Vegas and is considered the “Southern Gateway” to Death Valley and the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. The meeting will include papers, presentations, poster sessions, social events, field trips Sunday, and an auction of art, books, and other assorted treasures. This year’s theme is “Southern Nevada and the Mojave Interchange.” http://www.nvarch.org/current-events/annual-meeting

Publication Announcement: “Pecos Pueblo, a Place of Persistence”
Archaeology Southwest is pleased to announce the publication of Archaeology Southwest Magazine Vol. 33, No. 3, “Pecos Pueblo, a Place of Persistence,” edited by Jeremy M. Moss. https://www.archaeologysouthwest.org/product/asw33-3/ – Archaeology Southwest

“Tortuous and Fantastic” Now Available as Free PDF Download
Archaeology Southwest Magazine Vol. 28, Nos. 3 and 4, “Tortuous and Fantastic: Cultural and Natural Wonders of Greater Cedar Mesa,” edited by William D. Lipe, is now available as a free PDF download. Archaeology Southwest makes past editions available for free five years after they are published. https://www.archaeologysouthwest.org/free-resources/aswm-archive/ – Archaeology Southwest

Special Event: Luminaria Night at the Presidio San Agustín del Tucson
On December 14, beginning at 4:00 p.m., spend an old-fashioned holiday at the Presidio Museum. The grounds will be lit with luminarias. Create an ornament for our tree. Watch night-time musket firings. Hear “Twas the Night Before Christmas” read in Spanish and English. Decorate a cookie. Play games that don’t involve electricity. Tamales, beer, and wine are available for purchase. 196 N. Court Avenue. Admittance- adults $5,00, children 6 to 14 $1.00, children 5 and under free. https://tucsonpresidio.com/

Lecture Opportunity, Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, Coolidge AZ
On December 18, Casa Grande Ruins will host Carianne Campbell for “Native Plants and Pollinators.” The program begins at 12:00 p.m. in the Casa Grande Ruins visitor center theater at 1100 W Ruins Drive. – Casa Grande Ruins National Monument (press release)

Lecture Opportunity, Tucson AZ
Carrie Cannon, Native American ethnobotanist for the Hualapai Tribe, presents “Mescal Agave Use in Arizona: Food, Fiber, and Vessel” for Old Pueblo Archaeology Center’s January 16, 6 to 8:30 p.m. “Third Thursday Food for Thought” dinner at El Molinito Mexican Restaurant, 10180 N. Oracle Rd., Oro Valley, AZ. Agave plants, used by Native peoples for many utilitarian items and as a valuable food source, is still harvested and prepared to this day by many Indigenous groups. No entry fee. Guests may purchase their own dinners. Reservations due by 5 PM January 15. 520-798-1201 or info@oldpueblo.org. http://bit.ly/2PDiSoe

Tour Opportunity, Dragoon AZ
From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, January 4, an Old Pueblo Archaeology Center heritage education tour meets at I-10 Exit 312 near Benson, AZ, to car-caravan to the Dragoon Springs Stage Station site, renowned for altercations in which stage company employees and Civil War soldiers were killed; then to the Cochise/Howard treaty site, where Brig. Gen. Oliver Howard negotiated the surrender of Cochise’s Chokonen Apache band in 1872. Reservations and $45/person donation due by 5 p.m. December 31. 520-798-1201 or info@oldpueblo.org. http://bit.ly/2RIOlIn

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