Tribal Perspectives on Resource Management and Public Interpretation at Craters of the Moon National Monument
Project ID: P24AC01397
Federal Agency: National Park Service
Partner Institution: Portland State University
Fiscal Year: 2024
Initial Funding: $36,515
Total Funding: $36,515
National Park: Craters of the Moon National Monument
Principal Investigator: Deur, Doug
Agreement Technical Representative: Stefanic, Todd
Abstract:
Performance Goals – This is a collaborative project to document the knowledge, values and perspectives of Native American communities relating to their ties to Craters of the Moon National Monument (CRMO), Specifically, this project will allow NPS staff and PSU researchers to work directly with tribal representatives to seek their detailed input on the present and future management of land and resources within CRMO, as well as the content of public education and interpretation relating to tribal themes. Recent communications with park-associated tribes have reaffirmed that contemporary tribal members hold significant knowledge of lands and resources within CRMO, as well as significant concerns and preferences for how those lands and resources are managed with respect to tribal histories, values and protocols. These tribes also have important perspectives and recommendations as to how their history, culture, values, territories, and ongoing connections to the park are best explained to park visitors through public educational and interpretive media. Through one of more tribal workshops held at CRMO and other communications with tribes, this study will result in the sensitive and systematic documentation of these perspectives, in order to guide future NPS actions relating to tribal interests within the Monument.
Project Objectives – PSU researchers and NPS staff will collaborate to accomplish specific project objectives and to sensitively and systematically document park-associated tribes perspectives, values, concerns, and recommendations regarding NPS land and resource management, as well as public interpretation of CRMO. Summarizing all information documented in the course of tribal workshops and other communications with tribes, this study will result in the production of one or more “white paper” reports that thematically summarize tribal perspectives on certain key topics and issues. These white papers also will offer constructive recommendations for future NPS management and interpretation, as well as future NPS-tribal collaboration, that are rooted in these perspectives. The study is understood to consist of up to five potential phases, each resulting in its own standalone white paper. Phases may include tribal guidance on a wide range of themes, tribal plant gathering interests in CRMO, appropriate NPS management of landmarks of unique ceremonial and spiritual significance, detailed plans for NPS interpretive media development, and the detailed scoping of potential future studies and products that support both tribal interests and the NPS mission. With the gui dance and consent of tribes, the work may also result in dissemination of redacted findings, including one or more presentations to staff, tribes, and/or the public.