Posts by awalhovd
Artists’ Reflections on Save Indigenous History: An Activity Book for Children
We are excited to announce the release of Save Indigenous History: An Activity Book for Children. This 30 page book is full of activities, coloring pages, and educational material that teach kids about respectful visitation of archaeological sites. Five talented Indigenous artists illustrated many of the pictures for this project, including: Xenia Berejnoi (Yaqui Yoeme…
Read MoreBuilding a New Fire: Reflections from the Repatriation Conference
Ashleigh and Shannon at the 9th Annual Repatriation Conference hosted by the Citizen Potawatomi Nation at the Grand Casino Hotel and Resort, Shawnee. From November 7–9, 2023, the Save History team attended the 9th Annual Repatriation Conference hosted by the Association on American Indian Affairs and the Citizen Potawatomi Nation in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Attendees included…
Read MoreNative American Heritage Month: Respecting Cultural Sites
Happy Native American Heritage Month! This November, we are releasing a video series about respecting Indigenous places of cultural and spiritual significance. First, we hear from Barnaby Lewis, Gila River Indian Community Tribal Historic Preservation Officer. He discusses the impacts development has on cultural resources, as well as the lack of justice when people…
Read MoreCall for Indigenous Artists and Illustrators: Save History Children’s Activity Book
Save History is seeking up to five Indigenous artists (must be U.S. citizens) to illustrate a Children’s Activity Book. The book will be shared on SaveHistory.org, in print, and on Save History social media channels. What is Save History? Save History is a collaborative effort by Tribal organizations, archaeologists, federal and Tribal law enforcement, and…
Read MoreProtect the Past for the Future: Comic Launch and Artist Interview with Kayla Shaggy
Kayla Shaggy is a Diné and Anishinaabe multimedia artist, who, in her own words, “really loves making comics.” Kayla’s resume is impressive. She illustrated for Unsolved Mysteries on Netflix. She also did cultural consultation for Navajo characters for INTERIOR/NIGHT, an award-winning video game studio. Because of her skill, background, and belonging to Indigenous communities, the…
Read MoreWhite Mountain Apache Perspectives on Protection and Healing at Ancestral Sites
Ndee (Western Apache) communities often avoid ancestral sites and places associated with the past out of respect. Ndee communities demonstrate such respect in the form of avoidance to protect both community members and archaeological sites from potential harm. Most importantly, avoidance helps maintain Gózhó, a state of balance and harmony in the world. However, desecration,…
Read MoreThe Archaeological Resources Protection Act: A Collaborative Effort
Photo credit: Tyrel Iron Eyes The Archaeological Resource Protection Act (ARPA) protects archaeological resources on Tribal and federal lands and requires that archaeologists conduct a damage assessment. In order to conduct a damage assessment, land managers, archaeologists, and law enforcement collaborate to assess the damage. During this process, the vandalism or damage is recorded, mapped,…
Read MoreHealing Journeys: Dr. Doreen Bird on Reconnecting to Ancestral Places
Ashleigh Thompson, Director of Tribal Collaboration at Archaeology Southwest, interviewed Dr. Doreen Bird (Kewa Pueblo) about the importance of protecting cultural landscapes. Bio: Doreen Bird, PhD, MPH is from Kewa Pueblo, New Mexico. She has worked for the protection of sacred places such as Chaco Canyon in New Mexico, Bears Ears Monument in Utah, Mauna…
Read MoreNAGPRA: A Call to Action
Deanna Byrd, NAGPRA Liaison Coordinator, Historic Preservation Department, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Here at the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, I serve our community in the role of NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act) Liaison. For the last four years we have actively researched and reached out to hundreds of institutions across the United…
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