Berkeley and NAGPRA, More Sites Lost to Growth

Southwestern Archaeology Making the News - A Service of the Center for Desert Archaeology

- California Senate Subcommittee to Examine Berkley's NAGPRA Compliance: A committee of the California State Senate will today examine the University of California Berkeley's elimination of a department that had helped tribal members prove their right to ownership of collection items at its Phoebe Hearst Museum of Anthropology. Hundreds have been protesting since last fall the disbanding of a department that had overseen the repatriation of ancestral items under the federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.
http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096416700

- Growth "Gobbling Up" Ranching Heritage Sites Near Tucson: Still, word of the 14-square-mile development holds little surprise. Urban growth already has gobbled up big chunks of his other ranch land southeast of Tucson. "They're all close to town, that's where all this kind of development is occurring," Martin said. "It doesn't happen way out in the country." Ranching near cities and towns has advantages and disadvantages, Martin said: Ranchers have no trouble selling land that is in high demand, but encroachment can displace ranchers prematurely.
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/fromcomments/227165.php

- Reminder: Arizona Archaeology Expo this Weekend at the Arizona State Museum features the AAHS Book Sale, lecture by Wes Bernardini and panel discussion with Paul and Suzanne Fish, Randal McGuire and Elisa Villapondo
http://www.cdarc.org/page/j76s - Arizona Republic

- Large Archaic Cemetery Excavated in California: Archaeologists have removed 174 sets of human remains from a controversial housing development under construction in Huntington Beach, bolstering claims that it was a significant prehistoric Native American settlement. Dave Singleton, program analyst for the California Native American Heritage Commission, said 87 sets of remains were removed before Hearthside Homes broke ground on its Brightwater development near the Bolsa Chica wetlands in June 2006 and 87 more since then.
http://www.cdarc.org/page/c6kl - LA Times. Site may require login/registration

- Generous Donation Allows National Trust for Historic Preservation to Expand Programs: The National Trust for Historic Preservation is using a $5 million donation to boost support to its state and local partners nationwide, officials said Wednesday. The gift by the Robert W. Wilson Charitable Trust will help fund myriad needs - from providing more resources to protect historic buildings to better educating the public to prepare for natural disasters.
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2008/02_27-47/REG

- Employment Opportunity: Manager, Passport in Time (PIT) Program: The PIT Program Manager is responsible for maintaining the day-to-day aspects of the PIT program. Duties include maintaining a new PIT Website, creating and distributing electronic newsletters, and maintaining the newsletter email list and program database, as well as processing volunteer applications, notifying applicants of their application status, and coordinating with PIT project leaders. This position has been modified from the previous listing and is now classified as a full time, permanent position.
http://www.cdarc.org/sat/pit.pdf

- Employment Opportunity: The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art seeks a dynamic individual to serve as Curator of Native American Art, History, and Culture. At a minimum, applicants must have a master’s degree in ethno history, anthropology, art history or other relevant fields and significant museum experience with substantial engagement with Native peoples and organizations. They must have demonstrable expertise in Native North American art, material culture and history. The person in this position will manage the Native American Department, actively develop and interpret the collection of cultural objects, lead the institution in maters related to NAGPRA, manage work with the Native American Advisory Council and serve as liaison with Native American individuals, communities, and organizations. In leading the department, they will also be an effective team member engaged with all levels of the institution. The successful applicant must be a skilled communicator and active contributor to the field through publications and presentations. The person hired will be in a position to recruit and hire an assistant curator to support their efforts. All resumes and references should be sent to: iteljorg Museum, Attention: HR Manager, 500 West Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204 or emailed to personnel@eiteljorg.com or faxed to (317) 275-1430 by April 4, 2008.

Thanks to Dr. Jackson Underwood for contributions to today's newsletter.