BLM-(MT), Traditional Properties and Sacred Site Identification

Background: Native American Tribes have specific cultural and religious ties to the land and landscapes. In Montana and North and South Dakota that means that much of the physical environment has meaning and significance to tribes. BLM manages and authorizes activities on this landscape. To understand the tribal specific ties to the land it is important to understand the significance of the landscape to tribes including where Sacred sites and Traditional Cultural Properties (TCPs) are located. The proposed program in the Spring Creek area will address this need and will provide a mechanism to rediscover sites of religious and cultural importance to tribes. Objectives: Facilitate Identification of TCPs and Sacred Sites important to the tribes. The recipient will conduct field work and record historic properties to assist with special expertise to help recognize and evaluate eligibility of sites, especially TCPs or Sacred sites for areas in their Aboriginal Territories beginning with the Spring Creek area which will be 1350 acres. The information will be invaluable to determine significance of sites and for tribes to re-establish connections to places they have heard about in their oral tradition. This information also contributes to our knowledge of our National Heritage. The information will provide background and holistic use information for future management of public lands. Public Benefit: These potential TCPs and Sacred sites are important because they give us a more complete picture of our National Heritage. The project will benefit the general public, by giving the tribes the chance to share important cultural information to assist in better management of important sites and areas on the landscape and a contribution to our National Heritage. These sites are irreplaceable.