Re-Indigenizing Yellowstone

Abstract

Prepared for the 2022 sesquicentennial of Yellowstone National Park, this Article focuses on the historical and contemporary relationships between the National Park Service (and other federal entities) and the 27 federally recognized tribes with traditional connections to Yellowstone. The Article surveys Native connections to Yellowstone, tracks the evolution of federal-tribal relations at Yellowstone from 1872-2022, and presents a suite of options for future federal-tribal co-management of Yellowstone moving forward from the sesquicentennial.

Keywords: Indigenous peoples, Native Americans, public lands, National Park Service, colonization, Yellowstone, natural resources management