Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo) announced that the National Park Service will be collaborating with Tribes on a new theme study, which will focus on the Indian Reorganization Period and help the understanding of an important chapter within American history.
Theme studies from the National Park Service aim to provide national historical context for specific topics in American history or prehistory, as well as evaluation guidance and a list of properties for study as possible future National Historic Landmarks. These studies educate the public about the nation’s heritage and preserve important and often under-told stories, such as the history associated with the Civil Rights and labor movements.
This theme study will build on the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative and other efforts to ensure that Native American history is recognized as American history.
“Native American history is American history, and it should be told by Indigenous peoples. The stories we share inform not just our present but the future world we will pass on to the next generation of leaders. They help define us,” Haaland said in remarks at the 2023 White House Tribal Nations Summit.
“I am grateful that the National Park Service will work closely on this study with Native communities to ensure that their stories, perspectives and Indigenous Knowledge are a key part of this work.”
The National Park Foundation is contributing to the launch of the study, which will be prepared with guidance and expertise from Tribal leaders, academics, and other experts in the field. Early work for the study will start in 2024 and the National Park Foundation will begin outreach to Tribes in the coming months.
“The Foundation is pleased to support this collaborative initiative between the National Park Service and Tribes across the country,” Will Shafroth, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation, said in a statement. “The study will contribute to a more complete understanding of our shared heritage, including the historical perspectives of Tribes central to this period in American history.”
Support Independent Indigenous Journalism That Holds Power to Account
With the election now decided, Native News Online is recommitting to our core mission: rigorous oversight of federal Indian policy and its impact on tribal communities.
The previous Trump administration’s record on Indian Country — from the reduction of sacred sites to aggressive energy development on tribal lands — demands heightened vigilance as we enter this new term. Our Indigenous-centered newsroom will provide unflinching coverage of policies affecting tribal sovereignty, sacred site protection, MMIR issues, water rights, Indian health, and economic sovereignty.
This critical watchdog journalism requires resources. Your support, in any amount, helps maintain our independent, Native-serving news coverage. Every contribution helps keep our news free for all of our relatives. Please donate today to ensureNative News Online can thrive and deliver impactful, independent journalism.
Author: Elyse WildEmail:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Senior Health Editor
Elyse Wild is Senior Health Editor for Native News Online, where she leads coverage of health equity issues including mental health, environmental health, maternal mortality, and the overdose crisis in Indian Country. Her award-winning journalism has appeared in The Guardian, McClatchy newspapers, and NPR affiliates. In 2024, she received the inaugural Excellence in Recovery Journalism Award for her solutions-focused reporting on addiction and recovery in Native communities. She is currently working on a Pulitzer Center-funded series exploring cultural approaches to addiction treatment.
Make A Donation Here
