Proposal would let tribes gather plants in national parks

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Members of the Hualapai Tribe in northwestern Arizona occupied the Grand Canyon long before it became a national park. They collected fruit from cacti and pine nuts for food, cedar and mesquite to weave baskets, and materials to fashion cradleboards for their children.

The National Park Service said it recognizes that tribes around the country need such resources to sustain their cultures and on Monday proposed a system to let them remove plants from national parks for traditional uses.

The agency’s current rules prevent tribal members from doing so, although it has been allowed under informal agreements at individual parks.

“It was pretty much on a case-by-case basis,” said Joe Watkins, American Indian officer for the Park Service. “The rule itself is going to put a little more onus on the tribes.”

Under the proposal, tribal members would have to prove a traditional association to the land and describe the plants they want to take and how the material will be used. Park officials would then conduct an environmental assessment before granting a permit, generally within three to six months, Watkins said.

A public comment period on the proposal runs through July 20.

Loretta Jackson-Kelly, cultural director for the Hualapai Tribe, welcomed the proposal. But she said the tribe will have to review it further to see if requirements such sharing information on gathering and use of the plants are reasonable.

The Park Service said it believes it can keep sensitive information confidential, but Jackson-Kelly said she’s not so sure because environmental assessments are public documents.

“We’ll just have to wait and see how the Park Service responds to individual tribes,” she said. “I’m glad this has come about. We’ve been having meetings about it over the past five years.”

Some statutes and treaty rights already give tribes access to national parks to gather plants, but the regulations aren’t consistent across the Park Service.

For example, legislation that created El Malpais National Monument in New Mexico included language that gives American Indians nonexclusive entry to the land marked by molten lava for traditional and religious purposes, including gathering pine nuts.

Watkins said some California tribes might seek permits to gather willow shoots for traditional use, while tribes near Big Bend National Park in Texas might want to gather mesquite berries that are used in ceremonial dress.

The rules won’t change for the general public, which is allowed to gather fruit and nuts from certain parks with permission.

“Generally it’s ‘look and don’t touch’ when it comes to animals, vegetables, minerals in the parks,” said Park Service spokesman Jeff Olson.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Traffic idles while waiting for the lights to change along 33rd Avenue West on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood seeks solutions to Costco traffic boondoggle

Let’s take a look at the troublesome intersection of 33rd Avenue W and 30th Place W, as Lynnwood weighs options for better traffic flow.

A memorial with small gifts surrounded a utility pole with a photograph of Ariel Garcia at the corner of Alpine Drive and Vesper Drive ion Wednesday, April 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Death of Everett boy, 4, spurs questions over lack of Amber Alert

Local police and court authorities were reluctant to address some key questions, when asked by a Daily Herald reporter this week.

The new Amazon fulfillment center under construction along 172nd Street NE in Arlington, just south of Arlington Municipal Airport. (Chuck Taylor / The Herald) 20210708
Frito-Lay leases massive building at Marysville business park

The company will move next door to Tesla and occupy a 300,0000-square-foot building at the Marysville business park.

Bothell
Man gets 75 years for terrorizing exes in Bothell, Mukilteo

In 2021, Joseph Sims broke into his ex-girlfriend’s home in Bothell and assaulted her. He went on a crime spree from there.

Allan and Frances Peterson, a woodworker and artist respectively, stand in the door of the old horse stable they turned into Milkwood on Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Old horse stall in Index is mini art gallery in the boonies

Frances and Allan Peterson showcase their art. And where else you can buy a souvenir Index pillow or dish towel?

Providence Hospital in Everett at sunset Monday night on December 11, 2017. Officials Providence St. Joseph Health Ascension Health reportedly are discussing a merger that would create a chain of hospitals, including Providence Regional Medical Center Everett, plus clinics and medical care centers in 26 states spanning both coasts. (Kevin Clark / The Daily Herald)
Providence to pay $200M for illegal timekeeping and break practices

One of the lead plaintiffs in the “enormous” class-action lawsuit was Naomi Bennett, of Providence Regional Medical Center Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Voters to decide on levies for Arlington fire, Lakewood schools

On Tuesday, a fire district tries for the fourth time to pass a levy and a school district makes a change two months after failing.

Everett
Red Robin to pay $600K for harassment at Everett location

A consent decree approved Friday settles sexual harassment and retaliation claims by four victims against the restaurant chain.

A Tesla electric vehicle is seen at a Tesla electric vehicle charging station at Willow Festival shopping plaza parking lot in Northbrook, Ill., Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022. A Tesla driver who had set his car on Autopilot was “distracted” by his phone before reportedly hitting and killing a motorcyclist Friday on Highway 522, according to a new police report. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Tesla driver on Autopilot caused fatal Highway 522 crash, police say

The driver was reportedly on his phone with his Tesla on Autopilot on Friday when he crashed into Jeffrey Nissen, killing him.

Janet Garcia walks into the courtroom for her arraignment at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Monday, April 22, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett mother pleads not guilty in stabbing death of Ariel Garcia, 4

Janet Garcia, 27, appeared in court Monday unrestrained, in civilian clothes. A judge reduced her bail to $3 million.

magniX employees and staff have moved into the company's new 40,000 square foot office on Seaway Boulevard on Monday, Jan. 18, 2020 in Everett, Washington. magniX consolidated all of its Australia and Redmond operations under one roof to be home to the global headquarters, engineering, manufacturing and testing of its electric propulsion systems.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Harbour Air plans to buy 50 electric motors from Everett company magniX

One of the largest seaplane airlines in the world plans to retrofit its fleet with the Everett-built electric propulsion system.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Driver arrested in fatal crash on Highway 522 in Maltby

The driver reportedly rear-ended Jeffrey Nissen as he slowed down for traffic. Nissen, 28, was ejected and died at the scene.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.