What We Do

TRAC programs support employees and communities through collaborative curriculum development and delivery.  NPS employees and TRAC staff participated in the pilot course, "Pathway to Confidence: Engaging in Effective NPS-Tribal Consultation" at Fort Smith NHS.

NPS Photo.

CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY PROGRAM

The Cultural Anthropology Program works with diverse groups linked to National Park Service (NPS) sites through tradition, deep historical attachment, subsistence use, or other aspects of their culture. Program anthropologists in parks, regions, and the Washington Office provide technical assistance to strengthen communication and connections between people and parks. The Cultural Anthropology Program is committed to an inclusive management approach to benefit park management and the preservation of cultural and natural resources that are significant to present-day communities.

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PARK NAGPRA PROGRAM

As a federal agency that manages public land and cares for cultural items subject to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the National Park Service must comply with that law. Park NAGPRA oversees that process by providing technical advice, guidance, and training to all national park sites throughout the United States.

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TRIBAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROGRAM

The Tribal Historic Preservation Program helps Indian tribes preserve their historic properties and cultural traditions by designating Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (THPO) and by providing funds through grants. In 1996, twelve THPOs were created. In 2016, the NPS had established tribal historic preservation program agreements with 169 THPOs, and the number continues to grow. Annual grants support the THPOs and competitive project grants are available to tribes, Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiian organizations for the preservation and protection of their cultural heritage.

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CULTURAL RESOURCES OFFICE OF INTERPRETATION AND EDUCATION

The Cultural Resources Office of Interpretation and Education (CROIE) works across boundaries to celebrate our rich, complex, and intertwined histories to enable Americans to live powerfully in a diverse democracy. We inspire the stewardship of America's special places. CROIE promotes inclusive historic preservation and diversity in the cultural resources workforce through youth program internships. We promote relevance, diversity and inclusion in interpretation and education about cultural resources.