Heritage Department

Pit River Tribe Heritage Department

Natalie Forrest-Perez

Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO)

Phone: (530) 335-5421 Ext. 2040

THPO@pitrivertribe.gov

Jose Silva

Cultural Information Officer (CIO)

Phone: (530) 335-5421 Ext. 2041

CIO@pitrivertribe.gov

The Pit River Tribe Heritage Program revitalizes and perpetuates culture by its active expression of sovereignty through the preservation, protection and management of Native American cultural resources and traditional cultural properties throughout Modoc, Shasta, Lassen and Siskiyou Counties, California.

In 2011, the National Park Service formally designated the Pit River Tribe Heritage Program (PRTHP) as a Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO) to further enhance our ability to manage and regulate cultural preservation on Pit River Tribal lands. This includes planning and compliance with federal, state and local agencies with relevant federal, state, local and tribal laws.

The Pit River Tribe Heritage Program, THPO records and preserves our oral histories and seeks return of ancestral remains and objects through the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and California Protection of Indian Burial Sites.

The Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) is an advisory committee to the Pit River Tribe Heritage Program/THPO that includes the development of required Section 106 (NHPA) review processes and documentation.

The Pit River Tribe Heritage Program THPO participates in site field investigations and tribal consultation with tribes, federal, state, and local governments, agencies, and organizations regarding planning and compliance with the American Indian Religious Freedom Act (AIRA), Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA), NAGPRA, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and U.S. Presidential Executive Orders which pertain to Consultation & Coordination with Indian tribes and Indian sacred sites.

Providing educational outreach, public information & community seminars on the Pit River Tribe’s culture, for promotion of tribal cultural and education to the public for awareness, preservation and protection of cultural resources.