A Framework for the Jicarilla Apache Nation Comprehensive Historic Preservation Plan

Abstract

When the Jicarilla Apache Nation established a Tribal Historic Preservation Officer program (THPO) in 2009, it took over historic preservation functions formerly carried out by the New Mexico State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO). While the SHPO worked in good faith to manage the historic properties on tribal trust land, they lacked the adequate cultural knowledge and insight required to properly manage places of importance to the tribe. One of the required tasks after assuming historic preservation functions, is to develop a Comprehensive Historic Preservation Plan. This plan specifically addresses the tribe’s goals and procedures for managing the range of historic properties located on Jicarilla Apache tribal trust land. The implementation of preservation activities on tribal trust land is ongoing; however, preparation of a formal preservation plan has been in progress since the inauguration of the THPO. The THPO’s planning responsibility entails the organization of preservation activities (identification, evaluation, registration, and treatment of historic properties) into a logical interrelated sequence so that effective and culturally appropriate decisions and recommendations can be made concerning preservation on tribal trust land. This framework for the Comprehensive Historic Preservation Plan will be limited in scope and allow the THPO to explicate a well-rounded plan that includes public participation, meets tribal needs, and adheres to federal guidelines. The framework will be contextualized with an introduction, research focus, and methodology section.