How can tribes protect their natural resources and cultural heritage?

Tribes in California can protect their natural resources and cultural heritage through a variety of means. On the federal level, a number of protections are in place to help safeguard tribal lands and resources. For example, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) protects Native American burial sites and other cultural items. The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) is another important piece of legislation that protects both natural and cultural resources on tribal lands. Tribes can also pass laws that protect their resources. These laws can be used to regulate activities such as hunting, fishing, timber harvesting, and mineral extraction. They can also be used to establish areas that are off-limits to development or other activities that could harm natural or cultural resources. Additionally, tribes can take legal action to enforce their laws. This can be done by filing lawsuits, or by seeking injunctions from courts that prohibit certain activities on their lands. Tribes in California can also work with local, state, and federal governments to protect their resources. This can include anything from signing agreements to limit development on tribal land to lobbying for additional funding to protect cultural resources. Additionally, tribes can use public education campaigns to raise awareness of their cultural heritage and the importance of protecting it. Overall, tribes in California have a variety of tools at their disposal to protect their natural resources and cultural heritage. By taking proactive steps, tribes can ensure that their resources are safe and will remain available for future generations.

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