Federally Recognized Indian Tribes
Updated October 2008
The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, specifically includes the interests and involvement of Indian tribes in the preservation and protection of our nation’s heritage resources. Section 101 of the Act provides for Indian tribes to assume the functions of the State Historic Preservation Officer on tribal lands if certain conditions are met, including the designation of a tribal preservation official (16 U.S.C. 470a(d)(2)). Section 101 of the Act also provides that properties of traditional religious and cultural importance to an Indian tribe may be determined to be eligible for inclusion on the National Register and states that in carrying out its responsibilities under section 106 of this Act, a Federal agency shall consult with any Indian tribe that attaches religious and cultural significance to properties that are determined to be eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places (16 U.S.C. 470a(d)(6)(A, B)).
The Act defines “Indian tribe” as “an Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including a native village, regional corporation or village corporation, as those terms are defined in section 3 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602), which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians” (16 U.S.C. 470w(4)). There are currently 562 of these tribal entities with 76 of them having a designated tribal preservation official known as the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer. The term “federally recognized tribe” is frequently used as a shorthand term for “Indian tribe” as defined above so as to distinguish these tribes from Native American Indian entities recognized under state law and those Native American Indian entities that are not recognized or are self recognized.
Section 106 implementing regulations found at 36CFR800.2(c)(2) stipulate Indian tribes to be consulting parties in the Section 106 process and further address when and how consultation is to occur both on and off tribal land. Federal agencies could identify other Native American Indian entities or individuals as additional consulting parties (36CFR800.2(c)(5)) or as the public (36CFR800.2(d)) and invite them to participate in consultation. Visit the websites of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and the National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers for additional information about consulting with Indian tribes in the Section 106 process. Visit the National Congress of American Indians website or an individual tribe’s website to find information about tribal government.
The South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has made a good faith effort to identify federally recognized Indian tribes with historic affiliation to the state. Fifteen Indian tribes were identified in this manner. We do not claim this list to be exhaustive, as additional historically affiliated Indian tribes could be identified in the future. It is a federal agency’s responsibility to identify pertinent Indian tribes and approach them regarding their interest in consultation.
Of the 15 Indian tribes identified, the Catawba Indian Nation is the only resident federally recognized Indian tribe in South Carolina. Several of the 15 tribes, including the Catawba Indian Nation, have a Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO).
Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma
Scott Miller, Governor
Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma
2025 South Gordon Cooper Drive
Shawnee, OK 74801
(405) 275-4030
http://www.astribe.com
Karen Kaniatobe
Tribal Historic Preservation Officer
Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma
2025 South Gordon Cooper Drive
Shawnee, OK 74801
(405) 275-4030 ext. 199
Catawba Indian Nation
Chief Donald Rogers
Catawba Indian Nation
996 Avenue of the Nations
Rock Hill, SC 29730
(803) 366-4792
(803) 328-2427
http://www.catawbaindiannation.com
Wenonah G. Haire, DDS
Tribal Historic Preservation Officer
Catawba Indian Nation
Tribal Historic Preservation Office
1536 Tom Steven Road
Rock Hill, SC 29730
(803) 328-2427 ext. 224
http://www.ccppcrafts.com/
Cherokee Nation
Principal Chief Chadwick Smith
Cherokee Nation
P.O. Box 948
Tahlequah, OK 74465
(918) 456-0671 ext. 466
www.cherokee.org
Chickasaw Nation
Bill Anoatubby, Governor
Chickasaw Nation
P.O. Box 1548
Ada, OK 74820
(580) 332-8685
www.chickasaw.net
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Chief Gregory E. Pyle
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
P.O. Drawer 1210
Durant, OK 74702-1210
(580) 924-8280
http://www.choctawnation.com
Terry Cole
Tribal Historic Preservation Officer
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
P.O. Drawer 1210
Durant, OK 74702-1210
(580) 924-8280
(800) 522-6170
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina
Michell Hicks, Principal Chief
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina
P.O. Box 455
Cherokee, NC 28719
(828) 497-2771
www.cherokee-nc.com
Russell Townsend
Tribal Historic Preservation Officer
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina
Cultural Resources Department
Quallah Boundary Reservation
P.O. Box 455
Cherokee, NC 28719
(828) 554-6851
Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma
Chief Glenna J. Wallace
Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma
P.O. Box 350
Seneca, MO 64865-0350
(866) 674-3786
www.easternshawnee.org
Jena Band of Choctaw Indians
Christine M. Norris, Principal Chief
Jena Band of Choctaw Indians
P.O. Box 14
Jena, LA 71342
(318) 992-2717
http://www.jenachoctaw.org
Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida
Billy Cypress, Chairman
Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida
Tamiami Station
P.O. Box 440021
Miami, FL 33144
(305) 223-8380
http://www.miccosukeeresort.com
Muscogee (Creek) Nation
Chief A.D. Ellis
Muscogee (Creek) Nation
P.O. Box 580
Okmulgee, OK 74447
(918) 732-7600
www.muscogeenation-nsn.gov
Seminole Nation of Oklahoma
Enoch Kelly Haney, Principal Chief
Seminole Nation of Oklahoma
P.O. Box 1498
Wewoka, OK 74884
(405) 257-7200
www.seminolenation.com
Seminole Tribe of Florida
Mitchell Cypress, Chairman
Seminole Tribe of Florida
6300 Stirling Road
Hollywood, FL 33024
(954) 966-6300
http://www.seminoletribe.com
Willard S. Steele
Tribal Historic Preservation Officer
Seminole Tribe of Florida
AH-TAH-THI-KI Museum
HC61 Box 21-A
Clewiston, FL 33440
(863) 902-1113
(863) 983-6459
Shawnee Tribe
Ron Sparkman, Chairman
Shawnee Tribe
Post Office Box 189
Miami, OK 74355
(918) 542-2441
www.shawnee-tribe.com
Tuscarora Nation of New York
Leo R. Henry, Chief
2006 Mt. Hope Road
Lewistown, NY 14092
(716) 297-4990
United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma
Chief George Wickliffe
United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma
P.O. Box 746
Tahlequah, OK 74465
(918) 431-1818
http://www.unitedkeetoowahband.org