| |
Yavapai-Apache Nation
Archaeology |
The Archaeologist--
The Tribal Archaeologist is responsible for the Nation's legal compliance with the body of Federal law known as the Antiquities Act(s) and related legislation such as NAGPPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act).
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Tribal Lands --
Federally recognized Tribes such as the Yavapai-Apache Nation are considered sovereign governments within the federal system with their own elected officials, independent courts and other administrative responsibilities. Tribal governments do indeed have a modern form of political independence, however, paradoxically Native American lands are held "in trust" by the United States Government and as a result sovereign tribes are obliged to abide by federal land law.
The Antiquities Act(s) mandate that any project to be undertaken on tribal lands, whether that be a medical center, a basketball court or a new home, the project area must be surveyed by an archaeologist before ground can be broken. If significant cultural materials are found on the surface solutions can be; further testing, full excavation or avoidance (completely moving the project to another location) if, cost, time and/or traditional sensibilities are an issue.
Use of the Lands --
The main factor in determining if a tribe retains their own archaeologist is the level of new development the tribe has planned. For tribes with small budgets and no or little development on the horizon a staff archaeologist is not warranted. In the case of gaming tribes, such as YAN, with almost constant development projects on line and housing construction year round, having an archaeologist on staff not only saves time and money, but it also expedites the regulatory process by keeping the project in house and facilitates direct communication with the SHPO (State Historic Preservation Officer).
|
 |
|
|
 |
Archaeology
Chris Coder, Tribal Archaeologist
2400 West Datsi Street
Camp Verde, AZ 86322
928-6962 |
|
