The Leary Site on the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska reservation is a National Historic Landmark.
Slidell, LA--The Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska has achieved certification from the National Park Service for their Tribal historic preservation programs. The Iowa Tribe of Kansa and Nebraska Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPOs) is certified to assume duties under the National Historic Preservation Act, including the surveying, protection, and preservation of important historic, archeological, and cultural sites; nomination of properties to the National Register of Historic Places; and the review of federal projects. The THPO designation, which also allows tribes to qualify for historic preservation grants, is granted by the National Park Service.
The THPO designation is an important milestone in the preservation of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska culture. In addition, this designation can seek to assist the other tribes located nearby as the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska has the only THPO designation in the state. Alan Kelley of the Iowa Tribe of Kansa and Nebraska will serve as the interim Tribal Historic Preservation Officer. Mr. Kelley is currently serving as the IT Director of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska and previously served as Vice-Chairman. During his tenure as Vice-Chairman, Mr. Kelley served on various committees relevant to the cultural and historic preservation of the Iowa Tribe. These committees include, Native American Graves and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), Regional Tribal Operations Committee (RTOC) of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee (MRRIC).
The Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska Executive Committee will serve as the advisory review board for the THPO until a full-time Officer is hired. Once a full-time Tribal Historic Preservation Officer is hired he will, along with the Executive Committee, designate an Advisory Board specifically for the Tribal Historic Preservation Office. The Advisory Board for the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska will include Tribal members that are knowledgeable in tribal traditions and culture.
The Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska requested technical assistance to seek the establishment of a Tribal Historic Preservation Office. Under a memorandum of understanding, the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska contracted with Morning Star Consulting, a Native American owned grant consulting firm, to facilitate the application process.
Contact the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska for more information about the Tribe's historic preservation efforts.