The Tribal Historic Preservation Office and/or Officer (THPO) is charged with facilitating the Community’s involvement within Section 106 (NHPA of 1966) and Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). These Acts mandate that parties responsible for any ground-disturbing, federally funded project must first consider potential negative impacts to historic properties, archaeological sites, resource-gathering areas, sacred sites and other culturally significant areas. Additionally, the THPO is consulted for all such projects outside the Community, but within the aboriginal territory of the O’odham and Piipaash. Another principal responsibility of the THPO is facilitating the return of our ancestors and their belongings from museums and repositories across the United States in compliance with NAGPRA law.
- The THPO is responsible for consultation:
- On new development or ground-disturbing projects within the Community
- On federal projects within aboriginal O’odham and Piipaash territories outside the Community
- On the NAGPRA law itself
- On cultural affiliation of Remains
- On repatriation details once cultural affiliation is determined
- On proper care, handling and housing of Remains
- The THPO is responsible for repatriation (return) of the following items:
- Human remains
- Associated funerary objects
- Items of cultural patrimony
- Sacred objects
- The THPO is responsible to the Community:
- To assist the Community with the annual reburial ceremony
- To respectfully escort the Huhugam to the reburial group
Education and Outreach
Introduction to Archaeology
Introduction to Archaeology is a lecture series established to share information regarding archaeological studies or projects specific to the O’odham and/or Piipaash. This lecture series is intended for a layperson audience without a professional or academic background in archaeology. SRPMIC tribal members are the primary target audience, but non-tribal members are welcome as well. Please call (480) 362-6325 for more information.
Outreach and Presentation Requests
Outreach and Presentation Requests related to federal, state and tribal historic preservation laws or other THPO duties are provided by the THPO staff upon request (subject to availability).
Outreach and presentation requests regarding general SRPMIC history and cultural awareness should be directed to the Cultural Resources Department Outreach Coordinator, Cody Achin at cody.achin@srpmic-nsn.gov or 480-362-6647.
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)
The Section 106 of the NHPA protects different types of places that are important to the cultural wellbeing of a tribe. This includes archaeological sites, places where traditional activities still occur, and places where the people traditionally harvested plants or other materials to create traditional crafts, objects, or materials.
The THPO conducts Section 106 consultation on new development off the reservation that lies within our aboriginal claims area that is either on federal land, is paid for with federal money, or requires a federal license to take place. The Section 106 Program is also responsible for processing all incoming correspondence from various agencies so a determination can be made as to what program will facilitate the consultation.
For more detailed information visit the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) website.
For more detailed questions or concerns please contact Angela Garcia-Lewis at angela.garcia-lewis@srpmic-nsn.gov or call (480) 362-6325.
The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA)
The NAGPRA was passed in 1990 and is a two-part law that allows the tribes to claim and bring home their ancestors that were removed from ancestral lands prior to 1990. The act of bringing home our ancestors remains is called repatriation. The second part of the law protects burials on federal land from development that takes place after 1990 and allows tribes to claim burials that are accidentally disturbed by any development after 1990 as well.
The THPO conducts consultation to repatriate our ancestors and their belongings from museums and repositories around the U.S. The CPP also consults with Federal agencies to try to ensure they do development without impacting burials and on cases where burials were impacted by accident or in cases where there was no other choice due to emergencies.
For more detailed information visit the National NAGPRA website.
For more detailed questions or concerns, please contact Martha Martinez at martha.martinez@srpmic-nsn.gov or call (480) 362-6325.
Arizona State Burial Laws
NAGPRA is a very important law regarding burials, but its jurisdiction is specific to federal land, federal agencies or any project with a federal nexus.
AZ State burial laws mirror NAGPRA but covers privately owned land or land over which the state has jurisdiction. To read more about these laws visit AZ State Burial Laws.
Cultural Sensitivity Training
Cultural Sensitivity Training (CST) is mandatory for everyone who will be working on a jobsite within the boundaries of the SRPMIC, no exceptions. Training certification is required prior to arriving on the jobsite.
This training is available online and is managed by the SRPMIC Community Development Department.
CST Contact
Juan Nieto | Juan.Nieto@srpmic-nsn.gov | (480) 362-2612
Connect with Cultural Resources!
