An Ethnohistory Study for John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

Project ID: P14AC01349

Federal Agency: National Park Service

Partner Institution: Portland State University

Fiscal Year: 2014

Initial Funding: $28,122

Total Funding: $109,369

Project Type: Research

Project Disciplines: Cultural

National Park: John Day Fossil Beds NM

Principal Investigator: Deur, Doug

Agreement Technical Representative: Hoh, Shirley

Abstract: This project is a collaborative effort by the National Park Service (NPS) and Portland State University (PSU) to develop an Ethnohistory Study for John Day Fossil Beds National Monument (JODA). The park was historically used and occupied by Native American communities from the Columbia Plateau and Great Basin, but documentation of these historical associations has not been fully or adequately summarized. This study will systematically review and present data on Native American history of the park, including but not limited to tribes that have previously expressed interest in park lands arid resources such as the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
Reservation, Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Reservation, and Burns Paiute. This information will promote greater public awareness and appreciation of places within JODA that have cultural and historical importance. The project is conceptualized as consisting of four interrelated phases, with Phase I products including a work plan and an annotated bibliography of all key sources to contact. Phase II will consist of cultural affiliation research and preliminary findings relating to tribal associations followed by a final report. Phases III and IV will consist of interviews with tribes to ascertain traditional use sites and resources followed by a final report The current Task Agreement funds Phases I and II.