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 fosters relationship-building with Tribal Nations and works to honor and preserve the Indigenous Cultural Landscapes (ICLs) of 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. 

Rather than centering on a predefined product such as an ICL report, the initial project now prioritizes tribal guidance, shared decision-making, and long-term partnership development within Shenandoah in collaboration with Monacan.

Work under the project focuses on centering Indigenous perspectives in ways that support interpretation, education, and cultural and natural resource stewardship. Through ongoing collaboration, the initiative aims to deepen understanding of Indigenous histories and living connections to the land while creating space for future projects defined by tribal priorities.

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 sustained relationship-building and ethical collaboration with tribal partners, the project aims to recognize and preserve ICL, deepen public understanding, and support opportunities for cultural reconnection and shared stewardship.

  Project Impact:  This initiative represents an important step toward partnership, ethical storytelling, and action within Shenandoah National Park. By centering Indigenous perspectives and supporting collaborative work with tribal partners, the initiative strengthens relationships, informs park practices, and advances more inclusive and accurate representation of the region’s histories and landscapes. Ultimately, the project ensures that the histories, knowledge, and enduring presence of Indigenous peoples are acknowledged, honored, and meaningfully represented within the park.

Current Project: Monacan Engagement and Partnership (formally the Monacan Indigenous Cultural Landscape (ICL) Project)

The inaugural project under the Indigenous Initiative focuses on the Monacan Indian Nation, whose ancestral lands encompass what is now Shenandoah National Park. Present efforts focus on documenting Monacan connections to the landscape, supporting collaboration in interpretation, education, and cultural and natural resource management, and developing partner-driven outcomes based on shared priorities.

Earlier phases explored developing an ICL, but it is not a current project deliverable. Future consideration of a Monacan ICL report will depend on alignment with tribal interest, capacity, and guidance.

This effort emphasizes:

• Relationship building and trust between the Nation and the Park

• Documentation of Monacan ancestral connections to the Shenandoah region

• Integration of Indigenous knowledge with historical, environmental, and spatial information, guided by tribal priorities and protocols

• Collaboration in interpretation, education, and cultural and natural resource management
• Development of interpretive strategies and educational content reflecting Monacan history and values
•  Support for tribal-led research, capacity building, and ethical data sovereignty practices

This approach reflects a commitment to tribal sovereignty, data governance, and ensuring that any future work is pursued only if and when it aligns with Monacan priorities.

Methodological Framework 

The Indigenous Initiative adapts elements of established ICL methodologies—originally developed for the eastern portion of the Chesapeake Bay watershed—to the unique landscapes of the Appalachian uplands, valleys, and watersheds in Western Virginia. These methods provide a model for future Indigenous Initiative projects, prioritizing flexibility, partnership, and tribal guidance.

Rather than applying a fixed framework to produce a specific product, methods are used selectively to support relationship-building, ethical research practices, and partner-defined outcomes.

Key Principles include: 

• Tribal guidance, cultural protocols, and respect for Indigenous knowledge and data sovereignty

• Relationship-centered collaboration with communities, partners, and agencies

• Interdisciplinary coordination and capacity building

• Adaptability to evolving priorities, local contexts, and emerging challenges

• Interdisciplinary and Interagency Coordination

• Support for interpretation, education, stewardship, 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 work will be guided by tribal priorities and will honor Indigenous sovereignty and knowledge, supporting collaborative projects that recognize and preserve the region’s diverse histories, stories, and cultural landscapes. 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.