NPS AEP: Peoples and Cultures

ETHNOGRAPHY IN THE PARKS


	WHAT ETHNOGRAPHERS DO

	PEOPLES AND PARKS

	SYMBOLS OF TRADITION

	RESEARCH TOOLS

FORMULATE POLICY
Policy is the key to highlighting the heritage of living peoples to NPS decision-makers. Chapter 5 of the 2001 Management Policies, on cultural resources management, commits to a policy of inclusiveness towards park stakeholders through research, planning, stewardship, and consultation, especially in regards to respectful treatment of sacred places. Chapter 2 directs planners to consult peoples whose cultures are tied to park resources. Chapter 8 draws attention to American Indian and other Native American interests in park lands.

COORDINATE WITH NPS OFFICES
To make sure stakeholder concerns are heard, ethnographers coordinate with the full range of NPS programs and staff, notably park planners, interpreters, landscape specialists, and natural resource professionals.

CONDUCT RESEARCH
Research helps NPS decision-makers understand what's important to park stakeholders. As important as learning about their heritage, however, is communicating with the group. Making people partners in the process--and sharing information--can create long term relationships with the park.

CONSULT WITH STAKEHOLDERS
Ethnographers facilitate consultation with stakeholders in park planning, operation, and interpretation. For example, recent meetings with the Gulla/Geechi peoples--direct descendants of enslaved Africans on the southeast coast--will yield maps of culturally important African American sites in traditional rice-growing regions. Other anticipated results include programs to protect and highlight their culture and its contributions to the regional way of life.

MANAGE CULTURAL REGISTRIES
NPS ethnographers maintain online databases containing the results of research and consultations.

EJL/MJB