Sacred Sites, Sovereign Tools: Developing Cultural Protections for Your Tribe
Cultural Heritage Partners recently hosted a webinar titled “Sacred Sites, Sovereign Tools: Developing Cultural Protections for Your Tribe.” The session explored how Tribal Nations can strengthen sovereignty by developing and enforcing Tribal laws that protect lands, cultural heritage, and natural resources. The webinar featured CHP’s Indigenous Practice team—Jessie Barrington, Lydia Dexter, Dr. Ellen Chapman, and Katherine Sorrell—who discussed:
- The fundamentals of Tribal sovereignty, trespass enforcement, and jurisdiction
- Creating Natural and Cultural Resource Codes that put Tribal priorities at the center of land and cultural protection
- Leveraging Tribal enforcement, the HEARTH Act, and federal tools to protect sacred sites and resources
- Strategies for proactive Tribal capacity building through agreements, negotiation, and community partnerships
The team also highlighted real-world examples, including successful enforcement actions and negotiated agreements that turned legal authority into meaningful cultural protection. If you missed the live session, you can view the recording of the webinar on this page to learn how Tribal Nations are asserting sovereignty through law, policy, and proactive governance. You can also download the slides for our presentation here.
Have you experienced damage to Tribal cultural resources, natural resources important to your Tribal Nation, or significant sites such as burial grounds or Traditional Cultural Properties?
CHP’s Indigenous Practice team can help. Reach out to Jessie Barrington to discuss your legal options and strategies for protecting your people, lands, and heritage.