Dear Friends,
Since February 24, when Russia invaded Ukraine, coverage of the war and the worldwide response has—understandably—overwhelmed the news cycles.
As a result, the roughly contemporaneous release by the United Nations′ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), titled Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, has received less attention than it deserves.
The war has illustrated the formidable capacity of a broad array of governments to take decisive actions.
I’m not going to try to write an essay on global warming. I’m just going to point out that all governments need to elevate climate change to the front burner, and that the world’s response to Russia’s unconscionable invasion of Ukraine has shown that we can come together to face incredible challenges—when the collective will is there.
Going much lighter as I close this note, I’d like to share a comment from Bill Doolittle, retired geographer from the University of Texas at Austin. In last week’s note, I had mentioned very favorably the book A Most Remarkable Creature, about the Striated Caracara. Bill emailed: “As a point of information, Jonathan Meiburg is a graduate of my department. The book you are reading is a revised and updated version of his master’s thesis.” (I’m about halfway through the book now, and still greatly enjoying it.)
Even lighter: I’ve lived in my current home for 40 years and, for the first time, I have a pair of black-throated sparrows as regular visitors.
Stay strong, and try to find some things that inspire joy.
President & CEO, Archaeology Southwest
P.S. from Kate: This coming weekend is the Tucson Festival of Books on the University of Arizona campus. Ancient Technologies Expert and Hands-On Archaeology lead Allen Denoyer will be flintknapping at booth 419, in the good company of many of our regional heritage friends.
Banner image from an illustration by Kelley Hays-Gilpin
US Officials Explore Public Lands Management in Cooperation with Tribes
National Park Service Director Chuck Sams said Tuesday he and other officials are committed to boosting the role Native American tribes can play in managing public lands around the U.S. He told members of a congressional committee during a virtual hearing that part of the effort includes integrating Indigenous knowledge into management plans and recognizing that federal lands once belonged to the tribes. Sams was questioned about how the National Park Service could use existing authority and recent executive directives issued by top federal officials to make good on the latest round of promises to tribes regarding meaningful consultation and having a seat at the table. … “What could be a better avenue of restorative justice than giving tribes the opportunity to participate in the management of lands that their ancestors were removed from?” [Carleton Bowekaty, Lt. Gov. of Zuni Pueblo] asked, adding that collaborative problem-solving and a candid exchange of perspectives will be crucial for co-management to work. Susan Montoya Bryan for the Associated Press | Read More >>
Video: Examining the History of Federal Lands and the Development of Tribal Co-Management
On Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. (EST), the Committee on Natural Resources held a remote oversight hearing on co-management of ancestral lands, including the incorporation of Traditional Ecological Knowledge in public lands management. The hearing was live-streamed and recorded. House Natural Resources Committee | Watch Now >>
White House Council, Agencies Hold Listening Session on Protection of and Access to Indigenous Sacred Places
The White House Council on Native American Affairs (WHCNAA) convened an engagement session with Tribal leaders and Native Hawaiian Organizations today focused on implementing a new interagency initiative to improve the protection of and access to Indigenous sacred sites through enhanced and improved interdepartmental coordination, collaboration and action. Eight federal agencies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during the 2021 White House Tribal Nations Summit to increase collaboration with Tribes to ensure stewardship and access to sites, and incorporate Traditional Ecological Knowledge into management, treatment, and protection procedures. The listening session was led by WHCNAA Executive Director Morgan Rodman, who was joined by the Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland and representatives from the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Transportation, and Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, the White House Council on Environmental Quality, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and the Tennessee Valley Authority. US Department of the Interior (press release) | Read More >>
Coming Soon: Short Film Highlights Indigenous Leaders’ Views on Protecting Greater Chaco
Archaeology Southwest plans to release a short film later this month to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the Greater Chaco landscape. This video comes as the federal Bureau of Land Management is accepting public comments regarding the withdrawal of federal lands around Chaco Culture National Historical Park from the mineral leasing program. The comment deadline is April 6 and Paul Reed, an archaeologist, said the short six-minute film will be released prior to that date. “We wanted to put together a film that would highlight Native leaders talking about why that’s important to do and really kind of emphasize that point of view,” Reed said. Hannah Grover in the NM Political Report | Read More >>
Commentary: Protect Ancestors from Oil and Gas Corporations
For too many years, reckless oil and gas drilling in our sacred sites has endangered irreplaceable cultural resources and the health and safety of our nearby K’e. Both the Biden administration and Congress have not just the opportunity, but the responsibility to put the people’s health before oil and gas corporations. Right now, it is vital for communities across New Mexico and for our K’e to be a part of the public effort to protect the history of Indigenous communities across the country—before it is too late. As we are studying and learning more about the ancestors who continue to watch over these sacred areas, oil and gas companies are attempting to rewrite our history by disturbing the landscape and the structural integrity of these long-standing homes that once housed our grandmothers and grandfathers. Reyaun Francisco in the Navajo Times | Read More >>
Members of Illinois Delegation Introduce Bill to Make Site of Springfield Race Riot a National Monument
The proposed Springfield Race Massacre monument would encompass an archaeological site near Madison Street and the 10th Street Rail Corridor where the foundations of five houses burned down in the riot and associated artifacts have been found. In 2014, the Federal Railroad Administration and the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office determined that the area is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. There is bipartisan support in Congress to protect the archaeological site that marks the Springfield Race Riot. Republican Rodney Davis, who represents Springfield in the House, and both Illinois senators—Democrats Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin—have introduced the 1908 Springfield Race Riot National Monument Act, which would establish the site as a national monument to be managed by the National Park Service. … What happened in Springfield is emblematic of the racism experienced by Black folks in the United States during the early 20th century—and its lingering effects to this day. By dedicating this site as a national monument, we not only pay tribute to what happened there and vow for it to never happen again but we also acknowledge the plethora of Springfields across the country—places where Black people faced racism, lynchings, violence, and segregation. Teresa Haley and Chris Hill in Sierra | Read More >>
Assessing the National Heritage Area Model, Nearly Two Decades On
Sixteen years ago, the National Park System Advisory Board (Advisory Board) published Charting a Future for National Heritage Areas (NHA). The report featured an overwhelmingly positive assessment of the NHA model. It highlighted, for example, the important role that NHAs play in extending the impact of national park units beyond their boundaries. … Sixteen years ago, the National Park System Advisory Board (Advisory Board) published Charting a Future for National Heritage Areas (NHA). The report featured an overwhelmingly positive assessment of the NHA model. It highlighted, for example, the important role that NHAs play in extending the impact of national park units beyond their boundaries. Living Landscape Observer | Read More >>
Call for Public Comments: Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area (AZ) Management Plan
The Management Plan will strengthen the value of the Santa Cruz Valley as an asset by establishing a network of related natural, cultural, historic, and recreational resources, protected landscapes, educational opportunities, and events depicting the landscape of the Santa Cruz Valley during significant periods in our nation’s history; and establishing partnerships between the NHA and other public and privately owned resources in the NHA that represent strategic alliances and leverage unique interpretive opportunities. In collaboration with regional partners and stakeholders, the Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance has prepared a draft management plan for the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area. The draft plan is now available for public review and comment. Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance | Learn More >>
Call to Applicants: 2022 LHRC Internships
Are you an Indigenous or Ute person (tribal membership not required) who is 18 or older who is interested in Cultural Anthropology, Archaeology, Education, and research opportunities? Are you interested in visiting ancestral homelands with tribal elders and knowledge holders? Well, LHRC is looking for you! Our internship program offers 3 paid positions for 2022, and we can provide an opportunity to work on our research project with our team and our tribal partners. Two of the internships are specifically for Ute interns for our Browns Canyon National Monument project and will include an opportunity to go on a rafting trip down the Arkansas River. The third internship is open to any Indigenous person 18 years or older. Living Heritage Research Council | Learn More >>
Call to Applicants: 2022 NMSU Archaeological Field School
NMSU is offering a six-week, six-credit archaeological field school this summer within Tijeras Canyon (east of Albuquerque) from June 6 to July 15, 2022. This field school takes place in partnership with the Cañon de Carnué Land Grant and is driven by their interests and heritage management needs. Students will be trained in the basic methods of excavation, archaeological survey, site mapping, and collections-based research at sites and collections related to or managed by the land grant. While Tijeras Canyon has a deep and complicated history, most of our field and laboratory research will focus on the historical settlement of the Cañon de Carnué Land Grant during the Spanish colonial and Mexican periods (~1763–1846). New Mexico State University | Learn More >>
Video: Birds, Feathers, and Ancient Pueblo Pottery
In this March 1 presentation, Kelley Hays-Gilpin showcased many examples and considered the meanings of different birds and their feathers. Archaeology Café (Archaeology Southwest) | Watch Now >>
Video: Taste of Celebrate Cedar Mesa 2022
Learn what Friends of Cedar Mesa have been up to since the previous Celebrate Cedar Mesa gathering. Friends of Cedar Mesa | Watch Now >>
Podcast: Curating as Caretaking
In this episode, museum curators challenge the status quo and connect their ancestry to advance how history is told in cultural institutions. Mary Elliott brings listeners behind the scenes into the Slavery and Freedom exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. And Dr. Sven Haakanson helps re-create an Angyaaq, which is like a kayak, at the Burke Museum in Seattle, Washington. SAPIENS | Listen Now >>
March Subscription Lectures (In-Person), Santa Fe
Southwest Seminars continues its Native Voices series in March, in honor of the Archaeological Conservancy. Adam Duran (Pojoaque), Dr. Joseph Suina (Cochiti), Dr. Matthew Martinez (Ohkay Owingeh), and Theresa Pasqual (Acoma) will present each Monday evening at the Hotel Santa Fe. Southwest Seminars | Learn More >>
REMINDER: March 12: Arizona State Museum Library Benefit Book Sale, Tucson
Shop an all-new selection of used anthropology books with emphasis on U.S. Southwest and northern Mexico. General interest, history, biography, even a novel or two. Books start at $2, most under $5. Ninety percent of the proceeds from this book sale, sponsored by the Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society, benefits the ASM library. Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society and Arizona State Museum | Learn More >>
March 19 Family Day at Casa Grande
You’re invited to the “Mission: Resilience” family day at Casa Grande Ruins National Monument on Saturday, March 19th! Participate in fun activities that explore the resiliency of the Sonoran Desert Ecosystem and the Ancestral Sonoran Desert People who called the desert home. Self-guided hands-on stations will begin at 10:00 am and run until 2:00 pm. Strengthen your resiliency with activities such as giant Jenga, make (and take home!) your own pinch pot, learn about ruins preservation, plant and animal adaptations, and the amazing connections plants, animals and people have to our site. Casa Grande Ruins National Monument | Learn More >>
March 24 Webinar: Hidden Cities, Ancient Pueblos
With Steve Lekson. Two millennia before Chaco Canyon, some of the earliest monuments in the Americas were constructed in the lower Mississippi valley. Monumental earthworks—pyramids, platforms, effigies, enclosures—continued to be built from 1000 BCE right up to the arrival of the Spanish, from Iowa to the tip of Florida. Some were enormous: Pyramids as large as almost anything in Mexico. Many are mysterious: serpent effigies, geometric enclosures large enough to surround a modern golf course. This talk will compare monumental building in the ancient Southeast and Southwest—particularly in light of differing regional traditions in their archaeological study. Crow Canyon Archaeological Center | More Information and Zoom Registration >>
March 26 In-Person Event, “Invitation to Arizona Archaeology,” Queen Creek AZ
Join the San Tan Chapter of the Arizona Archaeological Society to learn about Arizona history and archaeology through activities and demonstrations. San Tan Historical Society Museum, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. San Tan Chapter (Arizona Archaeological Society) | Learn More >>
See you next week! Remember to send us notice of upcoming webinars and Zoom lectures, tours and workshops, and anything else you’d like to share with the Friends.