Under the leadership of board chair Walter Echo-Hawk, the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums is launching a new initiative to more fully engage tribal leaders in the development and implementation of policies, regulations, and resources to support and enhance tribal cultural identity. Mr. Echo-Hawk, a renowned attorney, has long been an advocate for tribal cultural entities and the essential role they play in reflecting the cultural values of Native communities. The new initiative will be called "Preserving and Advancing Tribal Cultural Heritage" (PATCH).
Over the next year, ATALM will:
- Survey tribal cultural institutions and tribal leaders to assess the current level of tribal government support for cultural institutions.
- Recruit a PATCH Leadership Council of elected tribal officials and cultural representatives who will help guide the project.
- Identify successful cultural programs that can be replicated in other communities and provide toolkits with helpful resources.
- Seek funding to help Native communities develop cultural plans.
- Host a national gathering of tribal leaders and stakeholders to develop a long-term strategic plan to ensure support for the preservation and advancement of indigenous culture.
- Establish the infrastructure to implement recommendations of the strategic plan.
How can you get involved?
- If you are a tribal leader or the director of a tribal cultural program, please complete the survey.
- If you would like to serve on the PATCH Leadership Council, please submit your information here.
- If you have resources (policies, procedures, plans, etc.), please submit them to [email protected]
- Watch the 30-minute "Engaging Tribal Leaders in Sustaining and Advancing Culture" presentation by Chadwick Corntassel Smith, former Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and founder of Cultural Tourism Solutions.
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