Pascua Yaqui Tribe Receives Heritage Preservation Grant
(TUCSON, Ariz. Dec 23, 2019) — In June 2019, the Pascua Yaqui Tribal Historic Preservation Office was recognized by the U.S. National Park Service, allowing the Tribe to take over historic preservation responsibilities from the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office. These duties include the establishment of a tribal register of historic places, compliance with the requirements of the National Historic Preservation Act for consultation with federal agencies and other interested parties in the identification and protection of historic properties, nomination of historic properties to the National Register of Historic Places, and other preservation and education activities.
In addition, the Tribe has received a Tribal Heritage Grant from the Historic Preservation Fund, administered by the U.S. National Park Service, to support the Tribal Historic Preservation Office efforts. Over the next two years this $50,000 grant will be used to consult with knowledge holders in each of the Yaqui communities in Arizona, and to engage archaeological and architectural historian consultants to identify and document Yaqui places of historical and cultural importance in Arizona.
“It is important to our Tribe to maintain and preserve information regarding our People,” said Robert Valencia, Pascua Yaqui tribal chairman. “The establishment of the Pascua Yaqui Tribal Historic Preservation Office and the receipt of the National Park Service grant is an important step in making sure we protect and preserve these important pieces of our history.”
About The Pascua Yaqui Tribe
The Yaqui people are among the original inhabitants of the Sonoran Desert region, extending from the Gila River in present day Arizona to the Rio Yaqui valley in Sonora, Mexico. The Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona is a United States Historic Tribe that includes nine officially recognized communities in Arizona in and between the Tucson and Phoenix metropolitan areas. The Tribe’s administrative center is located on Tribal Trust Lands southwest of Tucson. The Pascua Yaqui Tribe is part of the sovereign and indigenous Yaqui Nation that spans the United States/Mexico border and the Tribe maintains close association with the Yaqui communities in the eight sacred villages along the Yaqui River. There are approximately 22,000 registered members of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. For additional information, visit https://www.pascuayaqui-nsn.gov/.
