Indigenous Initiative: Centering Indigenous Histories and Stewardship in Shenandoah
Stories of Shenandoah
Overview
The Indigenous Initiative is a collaborative, multi-phase effort led by the Shenandoah National Park Trust, in partnership with Shenandoah National Park and the National Park Service. The initiative seeks to recognize, honor, and preserve the Indigenous Cultural Landscapes (ICLs) that shape and enrich the Shenandoah region.
By centering Indigenous voices, histories, and knowledge systems, the Indigenous Initiative aims to deepen public understanding of the land’s past and present and support its ongoing stewardship. Through ethical engagement and tribal collaboration, the project informs interpretation, conservation, and management strategies within the park.
The first phase focuses on a partnership with the Monacan Indian Nation, whose ancestral homelands include what is now Shenandoah National Park. Future phases will expand to include other Indigenous communities with cultural and historical ties to the region.
Project Title: Indigenous Initiative: Centering Indigenous Histories and Stewardship in Shenandoah
Project Purpose: To work with and share the histories, experiences, and ongoing connections of the Native American communities whose ancestral homelands include the Shenandoah region.
Project Goals: The Indigenous Initiative seeks to center Indigenous voices in the interpretation and stewardship of Shenandoah National Park by honoring the histories, knowledge systems, and ongoing connections of Indigenous peoples to this land. Through relationship building and ethical collaboration with tribal partners, the project aims to recognize and preserve Indigenous Cultural Landscapes, deepen public understanding, and support opportunities for cultural reconnection and shared stewardship.
Project Impact:
This project marks an important step toward partnership, ethical-storytelling, and action within Shenandoah National Park. By integrating Indigenous voices and perspectives into the park’s interpretation and stewardship, the initiative will deepen public understanding of the region’s Indigenous histories, stories and cultural landscapes. Through respectful collaboration with tribal partners, efforts under the initiative foster trust, mutual respect, and shared stewardship of ancestral lands. Ultimately, the project ensures that the histories, knowledge, and enduring presence of Indigenous peoples are acknowledged, honored, and meaningfully represented in the life of the park.
Current Project: Monacan Indigenous Cultural Landscape (ICL)
The inaugural project under the Indigenous Initiative focuses on the Monacan Indian Nation, whose ancestral lands encompass what is now Shenandoah National Park. This project aims to:
- Identify and document the Monacan cultural landscape within and around Shenandoah National Park.
- Integrate Indigenous knowledge with environmental, historical, and spatial data to create a comprehensive understanding of the landscape.
- Develop interpretive strategies and public education content that authentically reflect Monacan history and values.
- Support tribal-led research and capacity building through collaboration, training, and co-authorship.
- Advance ethical research and data sovereignty in all aspects of the project.
Methodological Framework
The Monacan ICL Project adapts established ICL research methodologies—originally developed for the Chesapeake Bay watershed—to reflect the unique characteristics of the Appalachian uplands, valleys, and watersheds in Western Virginia. These methods form the model for future Indigenous Initiative projects.
Key Methodological Principles:
- Regional-Based Approach
- Holistic Landscape Perspective
- Community Collaboration
- Cultural Protocols and Data Sovereignty
- Interdisciplinary and Interagency Coordination
- Capacity Building
- Adaptability to Local Contexts
- Climate Change and Resilience
- Interpretation and Public Engagement
Looking Ahead
While the initial phase centers on the Monacan Indian Nation, the Indigenous Initiative is designed to expand and include additional tribal partnerships over time. Future projects will continue to honor Indigenous sovereignty and knowledge, ensuring that the diverse histories, stories and cultural landscapes of the region are recognized and preserved. As new collaborations emerge, the initiative will remain committed to:
- Tribal-led research and interpretation
- Respectful, ethical collaboration
- Landscape-scale understanding of cultural heritage
- Honoring the diversity of Indigenous presence across the Shenandoah region
FY25 Project Funding Expenses: $70,000
Project Funding Still Needed: $70,000
Support the Indigenous Initiative:
This initiative represents a significant step towards continued reconciliation, education, and ethical stewardship in Shenandoah National Park. By uplifting Indigenous histories and honoring tribal sovereignty, the initiative seeks to present a more accurate and inclusive account of the region and the Indigenous peoples who have long stewarded it.