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Yellowstone National Park Will Use 150th Anniversary To Improve Tribal Partnerships

North Entrance teepee installation event: teepee, Roosevelt Arch, and elk cow and calves
Jacob W. Frank
/
NPS
North Entrance teepee installation event

2022 is the 150th anniversary of Yellowstone National Park. Park officials say they want to use this marker as an opportunity to listen to and work more closely with all 27 associated Tribesthat have historic and modern connections to the lands and resources within the park. Native Americans have been living in and connected to the landscape now known as Yellowstone for at least 11,000 years.

Yellowstone's Linda Veress said some of these partnerships have already started. For example a partnership with Native American Studies Faculty at Salish Kootenai College.

"The students from the college, as well as the professors, have been working closely with our archaeological team to explore archaeological resources within the park," said Veress.

Other partnerships include continuing the effort to work with multiple Tribes on bison management and the recent transfer of Yellowstone bison to the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes at Fort Peck, Montana.

In June, Superintendent Cam Sholly and park staff met with members from various Tribes and Tribal Colleges to continue the conversation about strengthening the relationship in the future. This also included a ceremony at the park's North Entrance, said Veress.

"Recently, we worked with Mountain Time Art, and this organization convened and planned the erection of a Crow style teepee down at the North Entrance, and we had a ceremony and Tribal members sang an honor song," said Veress.

Part of this effort is also creating more signage throughout the park that tells Tribal stories. The park says this partnership will continue beyond the 150th anniversary.

Kamila has worked for public radio stations in California, New York, France and Poland. Originally from New York City, she loves exploring new places. Kamila received her master in journalism from Columbia University. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring the surrounding areas with her two pups and husband.
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