Indigenous Knowledge as Federal Policy

Abstract

In 2024, the federal historic preservation agency unanimously voted to adopt a policy supporting the full recognition and integration of Indigenous Knowledge in the preservation field.  Indigenous Knowledge can be described roughly as the body of observations, knowledge, practices, and beliefs developed by Indigenous Peoples through their interaction and experience with the environment. The policy acknowledges that Indigenous Knowledge is valid, sound, and self-supporting, and that designated representatives of Indian Tribes, Alaska Native villages, and Native Hawaiian organizations should be recognized as subject-matter experts with regard to properties of religious and cultural significance to them. 

Indigenous Knowledge has not been recognized by a federal agency through a formally adopted policy quite like this one. For one thing, this agency counts among its voting members a broad array of stakeholders, including leaders of ten other federal agencies, eight presidential appointees, a governor, a mayor, a Tribal or Native Hawaiian member, and representatives of three nonprofit preservation organizations. For another, the policy has potentially sweeping implications on the regulatory process administered by the agency, which encompasses 120,000 federal actions annually. This Essay explains the motivation for and contents of this policy, then outlines implementation efforts.

Keywords: Indigenous, Tribe, Tribal, Sovereignty, Traditional Knowledge, Indigenous Knowledge, Federal agency, Historic preservation, Cultural heritage, Cultural preservation