2012 John L. Cotter Award for Excellence in NPS Archeology

The Cotter Award Committee announced the winners of the 2012 John L. Cotter Award for Excellence in NPS Archeology at the 2012 Society for American Archaeology meeting in Memphis, Tennessee. This year, the Cotter Award recognized two categories of achievement: Project Excellence and Long Term Achievement.

Jeffrey Richner (Project Excellence)

NPS archeologist Jeffrey Richner was awarded the 2012 Cotter Award for Project Excellence for “The Bois Forte Ojibwe Study, Voyageurs National Park, 1979-2011," a project that included a multi-disciplinary team of scientists, students, Ojibwe tribal members, and volunteers. The project resulted in an archeological and ethnohistorical synthesis of the historic use of the area of the park by the Bois Forte Band of Minnesota Chippewa Indians. The project maintained high standards for ethnohistorical research and archeological data recovery, including a unique level of involvement with tribal descendants and stakeholders. The award also recognized Richner’s outstanding efforts to disseminate project results and NPS stewardship activities to local communities, interest groups, descendants, and park personnel.

Trinkle Jones (Long Term Achievement)

Retired NPS archeologist Trinkle Jones was awarded the 2012 Cotter Award for Long Term Achievement for her 34-year career accomplishments in NPS archeology. Her excellence in scientific work and innovation in practice of the discipline is exemplified by her work at more than eight national park units. Jones was also instrumental in the creation and successful implementation of the NPS Archeological Sites Monitoring Information System (ASMIS), and conducted pioneering work investigating fire effects on cultural resources. She was very active in mentoring through internships and other initiatives. NPS Archeology has greatly benefited from Jones’ work.