A Circle of Influence : People Influencing Laws and Laws Influencing People in California Cultural Resource Management

Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this study is to identify the relationship of consultation between archaeologists and Native American groups with respect to cultural resources that exists because of consultation procedures that began being required by legislation in the 1960s, and continued to progress over time. Legally required consultation procedures led to increased interaction and communication between Native Americans groups and archaeologists working in cultural resource management (CRM) in California, and this interaction led to changes and amendments to CRM legislation which made the laws more cognizant of the interests of archaeologists and Native Americans.\ud Procedure: This study explores the changing ways in which Native American groups and archeologists in California work together under CRM legislation. Using literature about the subjects of CRM legislation, and archaeological and Native American relationships, coupled with legislative history, legislative statutes and regulations that relate to CRM, and case law, an overview of CRM laws and how they have changed over time is presented. Four people were interviewed, two members of the Federated Indians ofGraton Rancheria (FIGR) and two CRM archaeologists in northern California, to provide current perceptions and opinions about the relationship between the two groups and how it had changed over time under legislation.\ud Findings: Native American groups and archaeologists have different interests when it comes to CRM. Legislatures have worked to cover the concerns of both groups when drafting legislation about CRM. Scholars and subjects believe legislation has worked to balance scientific and cultural interests when drafting such legislation.\ud Conclusion: There is an identifiable progression of communication and consultation between archaeologists and Native American groups under cultural resource management law from the mid -1960s to the present. Laws requiring some consultation between the two groups led to more progressive CRM laws, changes in existing CRM laws, and more cooperation between people to\ud change them. Members of FIGR and California CRM practitioners are satisfied with the current consultation situation, and are optimistic about the future of consultation under CRM legislation