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Cultural Resources

The Culture Resource Management (CRM) Program, staffed by employees of the Lake Management and Natural Resource Departments, works to preserve, protect, manage, and enhance the Coeur d'Alene Tribe's Culture Resources. Coeur d'Alene Lake is at the heart of the traditional territory, culture, spirituality, and lifeway of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe. The Lake, its tributaries, and surrounding lands are in and of themselves culture resources as well as being home to prehistoric, historic, contemporary and future Schitsu'umsh life.

In coordination with the Culture Committee, the Tribal Council, Tribal Elders, and department and program directors, CRM staff facilitate Tribal consultation and participation in federal undertakings as required by the National Historic Preservation Act; monitor archaeological research and other excavation; provide initial project impact scoping; advise on ways to best avoid or mitigate impacts to cultural resources; assist Tribe staff and outside entities in complying with Tribal, federal, state and other cultural resource laws and policies; and seek grants and contracts for cultural resource management projects in the Tribe's best interests. Impacts assessment, data management, and data archiving are done with the assistance of a sophisticated in-house cultural resource information system (CRIS).



Representative Cultural Resources Projects:

1. Post Falls Dam Relicensing
   • Performing the Traditional Cultural Properties Pilot study
   • Monitoring all archaeological research activities
   • Providing advice on cultural resources relevant to other research areas
2. Names-Places
   • Recording and presenting Schistu'umsh cultural geography
3. Culture Resource Assessment of Lakeshore Development
   • Pre-project scoping for cultural resources
   • Tracking compliance with relevant law and policy
   • Providing consultation to permitting agencies

In addition, the Tribal Language Program provides important information in support of preserving the Coeur d'Alene language. The Language Program promotes family-based activities for individuals who are committed to revitalizing the native language. Program staff work with Tribal elders past and present, in order to learn and teach Coeur d' Alene, to hear it spoken once again throughout the reservation community. Language Program Staff work with a team of community members who have participated in past Coeur d'Alene language classes. This group of volunteers assist in creating culturally-relevant language curricula.

• Multimedia Education Application - Fun interactive activities on the computer with sound and animation. This will be used as a supplemental teaching activity for young children and their families.
  
  
• Resources for language teachers - Lessons and activities for teachers and families to do with children. They will be applicable to the delivery of instruction, discipline, and other everyday life activities.
  
  
• A Coeur d'Alene language database, searchable in either Coeur d'Alene or English.

Visit the Language Department's Water Potato Days page!



For more information on the Language Program, please visit the Language Department.