Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO)

A Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO) is a key advocate and coordinator within a Native American tribe responsible for preserving and managing the tribe’s cultural heritage and historic sites. They work to ensure that important cultural and archaeological resources are protected, especially during development projects. THPOs collaborate with federal, state, and local agencies to sustain the tribe’s history, traditions, and sacred places, integrating diverse perspectives into preservation efforts. Essentially, they act as representatives of the tribe’s cultural interests in matters related to heritage conservation and historic site management.