Sunday, December 30, 2012

USDA Releases Report On Indian Sacred Sites

On Dec. 6, the Department of Agriculture released a lengthy report titled USDA Policy and Procedures Review and Recommendations: Indian Sacred Sites. A 3-page background memo accompanying the report summarizes its findings:
[The report calls] for USDA and the U.S. Forest Service to work more closely with Tribal governments in the protection, respectful interpretation and appropriate access to American Indian and Alaska Native sacred sites on national forests and grasslands. The report recommends steps the Forest Service should take to strengthen the partnerships between the agency, Tribal governments, and American Indian and Alaska Native communities to help preserve America’s rich native traditions.
 Summit County (CO) Citizens Voice provides additional coverage of the report.