By Rob Capriccioso
Indian Country Today
WASHINGTON - One area of the Obama administration's proposed fiscal year 2011 budget sticks out like a sore thumb. While most Indian-focused programs are remaining steady or are set to make increases, the National Park Service has proposed to dramatically reduce the amount available for NAGPRA grants.
The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act is the 1990 law that created a legal process for federal agencies and institutions that receive federal funding to return American Indian human remains and cultural items to respective tribes or lineal descendants.
NAGPRA grants, supported by appropriations from Congress, are meant to build cultural resources capacity for Indian tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations and museums, so they may work to fulfill the law.
For the past three years, Congress has appropriated $2,331,000 each year for the NAGPRA grants program, which is widely heralded by many tribes for its ability to help them get up to speed on carrying out the intentions of the law.
Despite the tribal appreciation of the program, the Park Service only requested $1,750,000 for it in 2011. That's a decrease of $581,000 or 25 percent of the level Congress appropriated for the program in 2010.
The dramatically curtailed request comes at a time soon after the Park Service reported the actual number of grant applications has more than doubled since fiscal year 2008.
The national review committee that oversees NAGPRA-related issues has long been concerned the grants program should not be shortchanged - and it has seen a need to increase, not reduce, its funding. The committee recommended in its 2008 report to Congress that the grant amount be increased to $4.1 million.
So, it is all the more puzzling to tribal officials why the Park Service is trying to cut the program via its reduced budget proposal.
"It would be one thing if Congress didn't want to support this successful program," said Colin Kippen, a former chairman of the review committee.
"But why is the agency that knows all too well the importance of these grants trying to reduce the amount available to tribes, Native Hawaiians and museums?
"I am really troubled by this, especially because it reduces capacity-building surrounding NAGPRA at the very time when more tribes have learned about items that should be repatriated."
In the past, NAGPRA officials have said the grants program just wasn't popular enough to dole out all the funds appropriated by Congress, so the officials who run the program ended up reshuffling funding to use the grants money for other purposes.
The reshuffling of funds away from the grants program was so alarming to Ronnie Lupe, chairman of the White Mountain Apache Tribe, that he wrote a letter to NAGPRA headquarters in 2008, saying his tribe has "deep concern and disappointment" over the way officials there have handled the program. One of his concerns is that the NAGPRA office may show bias against tribal cultural resource directors who might not be the best grant writers, but who know the traditional ways of their people.
Also, since there is only one Native person on the NAGPRA staff, Lupe and others have said the office sometimes suffers a disconnect from the communities it aims to serve.
After the fiscal year 2011 budget reduction announcement, some tribal officials are questioning whether the Park Service and federal NAGPRA officials are boldly trying to codify less money to the grant program, so they may more easily do as they see fit with congressional funds.
"That's one question that needs to be asked," said Kippen, who suggested tribal officials contact the Government Accountability Office to report their concerns. The GAO is currently in the process of investigating NAGPRA officials as a result of concerns raised in a 2008 report co-authored by the National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers and the Makah Nation.
NATHPO continues to track the developments of the grants program and is disheartened by the Park Service's 2011 budget request.
"NATHPO is concerned about this severe reduction [in the program] as the NAGPRA grant program was designed to be, and is the major source of federal support made available to Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to seek the return of their ancestors and sacred items," said D. Bambi Kraus, director of the organization.
Ramon Riley, director of cultural resources with the White Mountain Apache Tribe, said the elimination of a substantial portion of the program will likely cause on-the-ground problems for many tribes. His tribe was able to use one of the grants in recent years to become better at fulfilling its NAGPRA mission.
"It's not right for this program to be reduced. It helps tribes build capacity to carry out the law and protect their sacred items and people."
In response to questions about the proposed cutback, Sherry Hutt, program manager for the national NAGPRA program, said times are lean.
"As to why the amount for grants has gone down, I do not have more to tell you than the general sense that budgets are tight across the board in federal agencies.
"You will note that Congress cut certain grants programs to zero as they did not think they had a clear sense of mission and criteria for awards. Obviously, Congress and the Department of the Interior do support the NAGPRA grants program, as funding continues even in difficult financial times."
To date, Hutt's explanations of the NAGPRA grant situation have raised general concern in Indian country, but her office's new budget request changes may raise more red flags, some tribal affairs experts believe.
"It's time to bring our concerns to the GAO and Congress," Riley said. "Something is wrong here."
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
On the Economic Impact of Save America's Treasures
Donovan Rypkema, principal of PlaceEconomics, tells us about the real economic impact of "Save America's Treasures," a successful historic preservation grant program eliminated in the President's proposed budget for 2011. Rypkema used the federal government's calculations to put the success in perspective. Read PlaceEconomics blog post here.
Historic Hawaii Foundation's Testimony on HB2484
To: Rep. Mele Carroll, Chair
Rep. Maile S.L. Shimabukuro, Vice Chair, Committee on Hawaiian Affairs
Rep. Ken Ito, Chair
Rep. Sharon E. Har, Vice Chair
Committee on Water, Land & Ocean Resources
From: Kiersten Faulkner
Executive Director, Historic Hawai‘i Foundation
Committee Date: Wednesday, February 3, 2010
9:00 am
Conference Room 329
Subject: HB2484, Relating to Historic Preservation
On behalf of Historic Hawai‘i Foundation (HHF), I am writing in support of the intent of HB2484, which provides civil penalties for the knowing destruction of heiau located on private lands, except as permitted by the department of land and natural resources.
HHF strongly supports all efforts to identify and protect significant historic properties, including civil and administrative penalties for the destruction of sites significant to the history and prehistory of Native Hawaiians.
The intent of HB2484 is to provide protection of sacred and traditional cultural sites on private lands, but there is some ambiguity that could lead to later conflicts. HHF recommends that definitions of heiau be added to the measure, as well as guidance for reconciling differences of professional and/or cultural judgment in the event that there is disagreement about the use, archaeological features or historic integrity of the subject site. We also recommend that the measure not be limited to private property, but to apply equally to lands owned or controlled by the State or any of its political subdivisions.
Rep. Maile S.L. Shimabukuro, Vice Chair, Committee on Hawaiian Affairs
Rep. Ken Ito, Chair
Rep. Sharon E. Har, Vice Chair
Committee on Water, Land & Ocean Resources
From: Kiersten Faulkner
Executive Director, Historic Hawai‘i Foundation
Committee Date: Wednesday, February 3, 2010
9:00 am
Conference Room 329
Subject: HB2484, Relating to Historic Preservation
On behalf of Historic Hawai‘i Foundation (HHF), I am writing in support of the intent of HB2484, which provides civil penalties for the knowing destruction of heiau located on private lands, except as permitted by the department of land and natural resources.
HHF strongly supports all efforts to identify and protect significant historic properties, including civil and administrative penalties for the destruction of sites significant to the history and prehistory of Native Hawaiians.
The intent of HB2484 is to provide protection of sacred and traditional cultural sites on private lands, but there is some ambiguity that could lead to later conflicts. HHF recommends that definitions of heiau be added to the measure, as well as guidance for reconciling differences of professional and/or cultural judgment in the event that there is disagreement about the use, archaeological features or historic integrity of the subject site. We also recommend that the measure not be limited to private property, but to apply equally to lands owned or controlled by the State or any of its political subdivisions.
Historic Hawaii Foundation's Testimony on HB2480
VIA EMAIL:
To: Rep. Mele Carroll, Chair
Rep. Maile S.L. Shimabukuro, Vice Chair, Committee on Hawaiian Affairs
Rep. Ken Ito, Chair
Rep. Sharon E. Har, Vice Chair
Committee on Water, Land & Ocean Resources
From: Kiersten Faulkner
Executive Director, Historic Hawai‘i Foundation
Committee Date: Wednesday, February 3, 2010
9:00 am
Conference Room 329
Subject: HB2480, Relating to Historic Places
On behalf of Historic Hawai‘i Foundation (HHF), I am writing in support of HB2480, which requires the state historic preservation division to report on the historical significance of an archaeological site or feature if it is destroyed, and provides civil penalties for destruction of archaeological sites that are listed on the state or national registers of historic places.
Since 1974, Historic Hawaii Foundation has been a statewide leader for historic preservation. HHF works to preserve Hawaii’s unique architectural and cultural heritage and believes that historic preservation is an important element in the present and future quality of life, economic viability and environmental sustainability of the state.
HHF strongly supports all efforts to identify and protect significant historic properties, including civil and administrative penalties for the destruction of sites significant to the history and prehistory of Native Hawaiians that are designated on the state and national registers of historic places.
While the intent of HB2480 is to provide protection of archaeological sites and features only, HHF would also encourage the same level of protection for other sites that are designated on the historic registers. To that end, we recommend that the legislature direct the department of land and natural resources to convene a review of best practices and models for good preservation systems that can be implemented comprehensively, with recommendations to be submitted to the legislature next year.
Therefore, HHF recommends that HB2480 be approved.
To: Rep. Mele Carroll, Chair
Rep. Maile S.L. Shimabukuro, Vice Chair, Committee on Hawaiian Affairs
Rep. Ken Ito, Chair
Rep. Sharon E. Har, Vice Chair
Committee on Water, Land & Ocean Resources
From: Kiersten Faulkner
Executive Director, Historic Hawai‘i Foundation
Committee Date: Wednesday, February 3, 2010
9:00 am
Conference Room 329
Subject: HB2480, Relating to Historic Places
On behalf of Historic Hawai‘i Foundation (HHF), I am writing in support of HB2480, which requires the state historic preservation division to report on the historical significance of an archaeological site or feature if it is destroyed, and provides civil penalties for destruction of archaeological sites that are listed on the state or national registers of historic places.
Since 1974, Historic Hawaii Foundation has been a statewide leader for historic preservation. HHF works to preserve Hawaii’s unique architectural and cultural heritage and believes that historic preservation is an important element in the present and future quality of life, economic viability and environmental sustainability of the state.
HHF strongly supports all efforts to identify and protect significant historic properties, including civil and administrative penalties for the destruction of sites significant to the history and prehistory of Native Hawaiians that are designated on the state and national registers of historic places.
While the intent of HB2480 is to provide protection of archaeological sites and features only, HHF would also encourage the same level of protection for other sites that are designated on the historic registers. To that end, we recommend that the legislature direct the department of land and natural resources to convene a review of best practices and models for good preservation systems that can be implemented comprehensively, with recommendations to be submitted to the legislature next year.
Therefore, HHF recommends that HB2480 be approved.
HHF testimony on HB2825
From: Kiersten Faulkner
Executive Director, Historic Hawai‘i Foundation
Committee Date: Friday, February 5, 2010
11:00 am
Conference Room 325
Subject: HB2825, Relating to Building Permits
On behalf of Historic Hawai‘i Foundation (HHF), I am writing in opposition to HB2825, which exempts from the county building permit requirement construction of nonresidential agricultural and aquacultural structures on state lands and large privately-owned land parcels leased for agricultural or aquacultural operations.
Land parcels that are likely to be affected by HB 2825 are also likely to contain archaeological, cultural or other historic sites associated with one of the major eras in Hawai‘i’s history, either pre-contact Native Hawaiian or more recent plantation-era development. The investigation and research that results in identification and inventory of historic sites is often triggered by a development proposal, frequently tied to the application for a permit. While some of these historic sites would be identified at an earlier stage than building permit application, and consequently have appropriate protective measures, many of the sites could be unmarked or unprotected up until the time of permitting.
Because building permits are integrally aligned with the State’s historic preservation processes, exempting new development from the permitting procedures would have the additional consequence of eliminating historic preservation reviews. It would be unfortunate if, in the pursuit of support for agriculture, a new law had the unintended consequence of destroying portions of the state’s historic and cultural resources.
Therefore, Historic Hawai‘i Foundation opposes HB2825.
The 21st annual Symposium on the Maritime Archaeology and History of Hawaii and the Pacific (MAHHP).
The Symposium will be held February 12-14 in Honolulu. This year’s theme is “SUNKEN WARBIRDS: The Legacy of Naval Aviation in the Pacific,” although not all presentations have an aviation theme. Detailed schedule can be found at: http://mahhi.org/Schedule.html.
The Symposium begins with the free and open to the public Friday night keynote featuring Kenneth DeHoff, CEO of the Pacific Aviation Museum, February 12 at 7:00pm on the UH Manoa campus (BusAd A-101).
On Saturday and Sunday, February 13-14, the symposium will be held in the Hawaii Kai NOAA Sanctuaries office (6600 Kalanianaole Highway, Suite #300) above Roy’s Restaurant. Saturday registration opens at 8am, Sunday 8:30am.
Registration fees: $75 for the two days ($40 one-day), Students $30 ($20 one-day); register online at http://mahhi.org/Registration.html.
The Symposium begins with the free and open to the public Friday night keynote featuring Kenneth DeHoff, CEO of the Pacific Aviation Museum, February 12 at 7:00pm on the UH Manoa campus (BusAd A-101).
On Saturday and Sunday, February 13-14, the symposium will be held in the Hawaii Kai NOAA Sanctuaries office (6600 Kalanianaole Highway, Suite #300) above Roy’s Restaurant. Saturday registration opens at 8am, Sunday 8:30am.
Registration fees: $75 for the two days ($40 one-day), Students $30 ($20 one-day); register online at http://mahhi.org/Registration.html.
Jamaica for Sale
Ever wonder what happens when unsustainable tourism and development spiral out of control on an island paradise? Look no further than the island nation of Jamaica, as Dr. Esther Figueroa investigates in her documentary film, Jamaica for Sale.
The documentary, which won the Audience Award at the Africa World Documentary Film Festival and the Bronze Palm Award at the Mexico International Film Festival, will be shown on Thursday, February 18th at the William S. Richardson School of Law. It takes a poignant look at the environmental, economic, social, and cultural impacts of unsustainable tourism development in Jamaica through the eyes of its workers, small hoteliers, fishermen, community members, and environmentalists.
The University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program’s Center for Island Climate Adaptation and Policy (ICAP) and Center for Sustainable Coastal Tourism will be hosting the event and providing refreshments prior to the film.
Maxine Burkett, director of ICAP and associate professor of law at the William S. Richardson School of Law, explained why Hawai‘i residents will be particularly interested in the film. “ICAP is uniquely concerned with the vulnerability of island communities to a changing climate. Jamaica for Sale demonstrates the impacts of tourism on island environments - human and natural - and highlights the need to cultivate a sustainable tourism industry as we build a more resilient Hawai'i.”
A panel discussion following the film will be held. Filmmaker Dr. Esther Figueroa will be joined by Dr. James Mak, Professor Emeritus at the University of Hawai‘i Department of Economics and author of Developing a Dream Destination: Tourism and Tourism Policy Planning in Hawai‘i and Mr. Ramsay Taum, Native Hawaiian cultural consultant to the tourism industry.
Media coverage is invited and encouraged
Thursday, February 18, 2010, 6:30–9:00 p.m.
William S. Richardson School of Law, Classroom 1
2515 Dole Street, Honolulu
(refreshments will be provided prior to the film)
The University of Hawai’i Sea Grant College Program is part of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s prestigious School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology.
It supports an innovative program of research, education and extension services directed to the improved understanding and stewardship of coastal and marine resources of the state, region and nation. Science serving Hawai’i and the Pacific for over 40 years.
Jamaica for Sale - Produced & Directed by Esther Figueroa
A Documentary about Tourism and Unsustainable Development.
Though the Caribbean receives about five percent of the global tourist trade, it is the region most economically dependent on tourism. Heavily promoted since 1891 as the way to modernization and prosperity, tourism has tragically failed in its promises, as Jamaica is one of the most indebted countries in the world. Lively, hard hitting, with powerful voices, arresting visuals and iconic music, Jamaica for Sale documents the environmental, economic, social and cultural impacts of unsustainable tourism development. Filled with wit and penetrating observations from the street wise to highly acclaimed academics, Jamaica for Sale engages with a cross section of Jamaicans: workers, small hoteliers, fishermen, community members, and environmentalists. As Jamaica is irreversibly transformed by massive hotel and luxury condominium development, Jamaica for Sale both documents this transformation and is trying to turn the tide. It is a cautionary tale not just for Jamaica, but all islands in the Caribbean, and all places around the world who are dependent on tourism and/or participating in unsustainable development practices.
Esther Figueroa, PhD, (Vagabond Media, Juniroa Productions, Inc.) is a Jamaican independent filmmaker, writer, educator and linguist. She has over 25 years of experience in media production including documentaries, oral histories, educational videos, television programming, music videos, multi-media, web content, and feature film. An activist filmmaker, her work focuses on local knowledge, indigenous cultures, social injustice, community empowerment, and the environment. Her work gives voice to those outside of mainstream media, and aims to counter the dominant values, information and world views portrayed in commercial media.
For more information, please contact:
Cindy Knapman
Communications Leader
University of Hawai'i Sea Grant College Program
2525 Correa Road, HIG #208
Honolulu, HI 96822
808) 956-7410
lknapman@hawaii.edu
The documentary, which won the Audience Award at the Africa World Documentary Film Festival and the Bronze Palm Award at the Mexico International Film Festival, will be shown on Thursday, February 18th at the William S. Richardson School of Law. It takes a poignant look at the environmental, economic, social, and cultural impacts of unsustainable tourism development in Jamaica through the eyes of its workers, small hoteliers, fishermen, community members, and environmentalists.
The University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program’s Center for Island Climate Adaptation and Policy (ICAP) and Center for Sustainable Coastal Tourism will be hosting the event and providing refreshments prior to the film.
Maxine Burkett, director of ICAP and associate professor of law at the William S. Richardson School of Law, explained why Hawai‘i residents will be particularly interested in the film. “ICAP is uniquely concerned with the vulnerability of island communities to a changing climate. Jamaica for Sale demonstrates the impacts of tourism on island environments - human and natural - and highlights the need to cultivate a sustainable tourism industry as we build a more resilient Hawai'i.”
A panel discussion following the film will be held. Filmmaker Dr. Esther Figueroa will be joined by Dr. James Mak, Professor Emeritus at the University of Hawai‘i Department of Economics and author of Developing a Dream Destination: Tourism and Tourism Policy Planning in Hawai‘i and Mr. Ramsay Taum, Native Hawaiian cultural consultant to the tourism industry.
Media coverage is invited and encouraged
Thursday, February 18, 2010, 6:30–9:00 p.m.
William S. Richardson School of Law, Classroom 1
2515 Dole Street, Honolulu
(refreshments will be provided prior to the film)
The University of Hawai’i Sea Grant College Program is part of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s prestigious School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology.
It supports an innovative program of research, education and extension services directed to the improved understanding and stewardship of coastal and marine resources of the state, region and nation. Science serving Hawai’i and the Pacific for over 40 years.
Jamaica for Sale - Produced & Directed by Esther Figueroa
A Documentary about Tourism and Unsustainable Development.
Though the Caribbean receives about five percent of the global tourist trade, it is the region most economically dependent on tourism. Heavily promoted since 1891 as the way to modernization and prosperity, tourism has tragically failed in its promises, as Jamaica is one of the most indebted countries in the world. Lively, hard hitting, with powerful voices, arresting visuals and iconic music, Jamaica for Sale documents the environmental, economic, social and cultural impacts of unsustainable tourism development. Filled with wit and penetrating observations from the street wise to highly acclaimed academics, Jamaica for Sale engages with a cross section of Jamaicans: workers, small hoteliers, fishermen, community members, and environmentalists. As Jamaica is irreversibly transformed by massive hotel and luxury condominium development, Jamaica for Sale both documents this transformation and is trying to turn the tide. It is a cautionary tale not just for Jamaica, but all islands in the Caribbean, and all places around the world who are dependent on tourism and/or participating in unsustainable development practices.
Esther Figueroa, PhD, (Vagabond Media, Juniroa Productions, Inc.) is a Jamaican independent filmmaker, writer, educator and linguist. She has over 25 years of experience in media production including documentaries, oral histories, educational videos, television programming, music videos, multi-media, web content, and feature film. An activist filmmaker, her work focuses on local knowledge, indigenous cultures, social injustice, community empowerment, and the environment. Her work gives voice to those outside of mainstream media, and aims to counter the dominant values, information and world views portrayed in commercial media.
For more information, please contact:
Cindy Knapman
Communications Leader
University of Hawai'i Sea Grant College Program
2525 Correa Road, HIG #208
Honolulu, HI 96822
808) 956-7410
lknapman@hawaii.edu
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
