Ponca tribe of Indians of Oklahoma
Tribal Historic Preservation Office
The Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma developed their Tribal Historic Preservation Office in 2016. We are fully funded by a grant provided by the National Park Service and operate according to the Historic Preservation Funds Grant Manual. A Work Plan is created each funding year. This plan has to include what is required by law; including Section 106 reviews, consulting with other federal, tribal, state and local agencies. We receive Section 106 Notifications from projects that take place in each state designated as an area of interest. The THPO Work Plan also includes maintaining a Cultural Properties Database and other tribally specific projects.
The Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO) was established by the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, as amended in 1992. This allowed Tribal Nations to assume duties from the State Historical Society on tribal lands. The THPO is a federally appointed officer designated by the tribe. The THPO ensures compliance with applicable tribal, state and federal laws. These laws provide tribe’s the ability to assert their tribal sovereignty, and give tribe’s the authority to preserve and protect historic sites and/or cultural properties within their boundaries. The THPO is the designated sole authority under provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) to review activities and negotiate protective measures that are linked to federal agency action on Indian lands.
The Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO) was established by the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, as amended in 1992. This allowed Tribal Nations to assume duties from the State Historical Society on tribal lands. The THPO is a federally appointed officer designated by the tribe. The THPO ensures compliance with applicable tribal, state and federal laws. These laws provide tribe’s the ability to assert their tribal sovereignty, and give tribe’s the authority to preserve and protect historic sites and/or cultural properties within their boundaries. The THPO is the designated sole authority under provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) to review activities and negotiate protective measures that are linked to federal agency action on Indian lands.
The Cemetery Project began in 2019 and continues today. The concept of this project was to create a map of the cemetery, develop a plot system and create better roads for visitors. Planned for the near future is to locate unmarked burials.
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Each tribe is able to determine their area of interest. The Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma has an area of interest that spans from Oklahoma to North Dakota and to the east. The states included are: Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia and Virginia.
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Applicable Laws
National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA; Public Law 89-665; 54 U.S.C. 300101 et seq.) is legislation intended to preserve historic and archaeological sites in the United States of America. The act created the National Register of Historic Places, the list of National Historic Landmarks, and the State Historic Preservation Offices. The act requires federal agencies to evaluate the impact of all federally funded or permitted projects on historic properties (buildings, archaeological sites, etc.) through a process known as Section 106 Review.
Section 106
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act mandates federal agencies undergo a review process for all federally funded and permitted projects that will impact sites listed on, or eligible for listing on, the National Register of Historic Places. The main purpose for the establishment of the Section 106 review process is to minimize potential harm and damage to historic properties. The typical Section 106 Review involves four primary steps:
1 - Initiation of the Section 106 Review;
2 - Identification of Historic Properties;
3 - Assessment of Adverse Effects; and
4 - Resolution of Adverse Effects.
Further steps may be required if there is a disagreement among the consulting parties on adverse effects or the resolution of the effects.
Additional Laws
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) For more information, visit: https://www.nps.gov/archeology/tools/laws/index.htm https://www.epa.gov/nepa/what-national-environmentalpolicy-act
For more information:
Liana Hesler, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer
20 White Eagle Drive
Ponca City, OK 74601
(580) 382-6633
[email protected] - "All Section 106 notifications should be sent to this email address. Please DO NOT send emails to this address UNLESS it is a Section 106 notification."
[email protected] - "All other emails should be sent to this address, including in-house emails, NAGPRA notifications, and any non-notification correspondences".
National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA; Public Law 89-665; 54 U.S.C. 300101 et seq.) is legislation intended to preserve historic and archaeological sites in the United States of America. The act created the National Register of Historic Places, the list of National Historic Landmarks, and the State Historic Preservation Offices. The act requires federal agencies to evaluate the impact of all federally funded or permitted projects on historic properties (buildings, archaeological sites, etc.) through a process known as Section 106 Review.
Section 106
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act mandates federal agencies undergo a review process for all federally funded and permitted projects that will impact sites listed on, or eligible for listing on, the National Register of Historic Places. The main purpose for the establishment of the Section 106 review process is to minimize potential harm and damage to historic properties. The typical Section 106 Review involves four primary steps:
1 - Initiation of the Section 106 Review;
2 - Identification of Historic Properties;
3 - Assessment of Adverse Effects; and
4 - Resolution of Adverse Effects.
Further steps may be required if there is a disagreement among the consulting parties on adverse effects or the resolution of the effects.
Additional Laws
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) For more information, visit: https://www.nps.gov/archeology/tools/laws/index.htm https://www.epa.gov/nepa/what-national-environmentalpolicy-act
For more information:
Liana Hesler, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer
20 White Eagle Drive
Ponca City, OK 74601
(580) 382-6633
[email protected] - "All Section 106 notifications should be sent to this email address. Please DO NOT send emails to this address UNLESS it is a Section 106 notification."
[email protected] - "All other emails should be sent to this address, including in-house emails, NAGPRA notifications, and any non-notification correspondences".