Oklahoma Tribal Leaders Warn Ohio Ancestral Lands Face New Threats

Tribal leaders in Oklahoma are warning that proposed changes to federal law could weaken protections for ancestral lands in Ohio. The revisions target the National Historic Preservation Act, a law that has governed how the United States handles historic sites for 60 years. Tribal officials say the changes would narrow the definition of what constitutes damage to a site and make the consultation process optional for federal agencies.

The controversy centers on Section 106 of the Act, which currently requires states, tribes, and local governments to consult with federal agencies on development proposals. This process allows for redesigns to mitigate harm to historic areas. The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and Congress are separately proposing amendments that would alter these requirements. The goal, according to supporters, is to streamline permitting for energy projects and reduce approval times.

In Ohio, hundreds of earthworks built by the Indigenous Adena Culture remain standing. The Miamisburg Mound is one of the largest conical mounds in the eastern United States, rising 65 feet above the ground. Miamisburg Mayor Michelle Collins describes the structure as awesome, noting that it is a couple thousand years old. She says the site offers a fantastic view of the Miami Valley and serves as a vital landmark for the region.

For the 38 federally recognized tribal nations in Oklahoma, these Ohio sites are not merely historical landmarks. Many of these tribes were forcibly displaced from Ohio to Oklahoma during the 18th and 19th centuries due to broken treaties and federal policies. Chief Ben Barnes of the Shawnee Tribe says the current consultation process is essential for preserving sacred sites, including earthworks and ancestral burial grounds. He argues that the federal government has a responsibility to cooperate with tribal nations on these matters.

Chief Barnes explains that without the mandatory consultation process, infrastructure projects could proceed without input from the people who use these spaces for worship. He points to a large gas line that runs across Oklahoma to Springfield, Missouri. He notes that one day, that line will need to be disturbed, enlarged, or repaired. Without the Section 106 processes, he says, operators could make those changes without ever consulting the tribal members who gather in those places to worship.

Blake Norton, an official with the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, describes the proposed changes as a disregard for the relationship Native Americans have with these spaces. He likens the potential loss of protection to stripping away the humanity of his ancestors. Norton questions the motivation behind the changes, asking if the goal is simply to complete projects so that capitalism can continue.

Democratic Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, who favors the changes, argues that the current rules cause too much delay in approving energy projects. He stated that America needs to be able to build things in years, not in decades. Heinrich says he is currently speaking with tribal leaders about possible compromises on the bill. The proposed revisions would make the involvement of tribes and local groups optional rather than mandatory in the review process.

Tribal officials in Oklahoma say they want to protect the spaces where they currently live as well as their ancestral lands in other states. They emphasize that it is key for Native Americans to have a say in the process with no optional provision about their involvement. The debate over the amendments continues as Congress and the Advisory Council move forward with their respective proposals.