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Federal and State Frameworks for Tribal Resources and Cultural Sites

Join CPF for a comprehensive overview of how federal and California state laws intersect to protect tribal cultural resources, with a focus on the interaction between the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and California-specific frameworks including AB 52 and SB 18. The session will examine how these laws connect in practice, and how they shape responsibilities for agencies, project teams, and cultural resource professionals.

Special attention will be given to considerations unique to California, such as consultation with non-federally recognized tribes, confidentiality provisions for sensitive site information, and the role of the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC). Through case studies, attendees will explore real-world examples of consultation, cultural affiliation determinations, and strategies for integrating tribal input into project planning and design.

The program will conclude with best practices for effective engagement, offering participants concrete strategies for compliance, collaboration, and respectful stewardship of tribal cultural resources. An extended Q&A segment will allow for discussion of participant experiences, project-specific challenges, and emerging trends in tribal consultation and resource protection.

Learning Objectives

• Participants will be able to identify the key requirements and processes of NAGPRA, Section 106, AB 52, and SB 18, and explain how these laws intersect in California project planning.

• Participants will be able to recognize the legal and procedural differences in consulting with federally recognized and non-federally recognized tribes in California.

• Participants will be able to apply case study lessons to integrate tribal perspectives into project design and cultural resource protection strategies.

• Participants will be able to implement tools and best practices for conducting effective, respectful, and legally compliant tribal consultation processes.

Speakers

Nick Angeloff
Regional Principal, Chronicle Heritage
Nick has nearly 30 years of experience in all phases of cultural resource management across California, Oregon, and Nevada, with successful work for the U.S. Forest Service, State Parks, Bureau of Land Management, multiple Departments of Transportation, and other agencies. He also has an extensive background working with and for indigenous communities across the globe, including current work in North Macedonia and past work as a Tribal Historic Preservation Officer collaborating with the White House to help develop the National Ocean Policy and with the Department of State on the U.N. Declaration of Indigenous Rights. As Regional Principal, Nick will oversee all our operations within California, increasing cohesion and effectiveness for our teams across the western U.S.

Erika Cooper
Senior Archaeologist, Chronicle Heritage
Erika has over 22 years of cultural resource management experience throughout California and meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Archaeologist and Historian. She has performed multiple roles over the years, including serving as NHPA Section 106 Coordinator and Tribal Liaison for the National Park Service and serving as a Tribal Historic Preservation Officer. In previous roles with tribal and federal government, Erika routinely worked with numerous federal, state and local agencies to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal regulations. Additionally, her expertise in human osteology and experience in tribal relations has proved valuable on many sensitive projects.

Moderator

Carrie Chasteen
Senior Architectural Historian, Chronicle Heritage
Carrie is an expert in historic preservation with over 23 years of experience in cultural resource management. With a Master of Science in Historic Preservation, she has worked on a wide range of projects, helping developers and property owners navigate historic regulations and preserve significant properties. As a Principal Architectural Historian, she specializes in preparing regulatory compliance documents, evaluating properties for historical registers, and ensuring projects align with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. Carrie also loves uncovering the stories behind places, using her deep research skills to craft historic context statements that highlight a property's unique significance.

More speakers to be announced.

 

Posted in: Preservation Basics, Preservation Law, Section 106, Webinars, Workshops