Yakutat Tlingit Traditional Cultural Property Study, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

Project ID: P13AC01117

Federal Agency: National Park Service

Partner Institution: Portland State University

Fiscal Year: 2013

Initial Funding: $107,386

Total Funding: $275,107

Project Type: Research

Project Disciplines: Cultural

National Park: Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve

Principal Investigator: Deur, Doug

Agreement Technical Representative: Moss, Mary Beth

Abstract: The Pacific coast shoreline of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve (GLBA) represents a critically important component of the Yakutat Tlingit traditional territory. Yakutat clans trace their origins to the Pacific coastline of GLBA. Former village sites and archaeological sites are numerous in this area, landmarks from this part of the park still appear prominently in the songs, story traditions, and clan regalia of modern Yakutat Tlingits, and these landmarks are viewed as sacred by some members of the Yakutat Tlingit Tribe. The National Park Service (NPS) has a mandate to formally consult with the Yakutat Tlingit Tribe regarding such places of importance within the park and any potential effects that park operations might have upon them. The NPS also has a mandate to systematically document such places and to assess their eligibility as Traditional Cultural Properties under the National Historic Preservation Act, as well as to determine the applicability of other federal laws and policies relating to Native Alaska cultural interests in park lands and resources. To date, Yakutat Tlingits have indicated their interest in this area of the park in the course of NPS consultation, but no attempt has been made to formally document these places and their cultural significance. The objective of this study, then, is to compile data relating to Traditional Cultural Properties at a level sufficient to determine their eligibility to the National Register, and to facilitate the future protection, management, and interpretation of these sites. This research endeavor is envisioned as a five phase study. This Task Agreement funds Phase I and the objectives include the creation of a complete study plan, participation in meetings and field visits with Yakutat Tlingit cultural specialists, recruitment and training of a Yakutat Tlingit research assistant, and the completion of an annotated project bibliography. Phases II through V will involve working with Yakutat Tlingit cultural specialists and research assistants to document the cultural significance of specific places within GLBA and to develop information to formally nominate these places as Traditional Cultural Properties.