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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 productive long term relationships between these peoples and the park.
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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.
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Coordinate with NPS Offices
To make sure stakeholder concerns are heard, ethnographers coordinate with a broad range of NPS programs and staff—notably park planners, interpreters, landscape specialists, and natural resource professionals.
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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 NPS to a policy of inclusiveness towards park stakeholders through research, planning, stewardship, and consultation, especially with regard to respectful treatment of sacred places. Chapter 2 directs planners to consult with peoples whose cultures are tied to park resources. Chapter 8 draws attention to American Indian and other Native American interests in park lands.
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Manage Cultural Registries
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NPS ethnographers maintain databases containing the results of ethnographic research and consultation.