The Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation announced Thursday that they have entered into a historic agreement with the National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior to establish a Tribal Historic Preservation Office for the benefit of the Tribe and its members. The Tribal Historic Preservation Office certification will allow the Tribe’s Cultural Rights and Protection Department to exercise cultural and historic preservation authorities that were previously exercised by the State of Utah’s Historic Preservation Office. Specifically, the Tribal Historic Preservation Office will receive federal funding to assist with historic preservation efforts and will have federal authority to assume duties from the state. According to Business Committee Chairman Shaun Chapoose, “The Ute Indian Tribe recognizes the immense importance of protecting and preserving its culturally significant resources both on and off the reservation. As an extension of the Tribe’s sovereignty, we will utilize our Tribal Historic Preservation Office certification to ensure our cultural resources are protected for generations to come.” Few Tribes across the United States have received the authorization to operate their own programs. Establishing a Tribal Historic Preservation Office is a landmark achievement, and it will reinforce the Ute Indian Tribe’s sovereignty, particularly for matters involving historic and cultural resources.
