Connecting National Parks to People and People to National Parks: Muriel Crespi’s Contribution to the Policies and Practices

Abstract

In 1987, a Federal Register notice was released entitled "Native American Relationships Management Policy."1 This document was eye opening and insightful in its scope, for it articulated the National Park Service's (NPS) responsibility for addressing issues involving Native Americans. The first Native American relationships policy developed by a U.S. land management bureau, this document was written partly as an NPS response to policy guidance for the American Indian Religious Freedom Act (1978). However, it was more than just a response; it directed NPS personnel how to effectively recognize and respond to Native American connections to parklands and highlighted the need for consultation with affected tribes. Dr. Muriel (Miki) Crespi, Chief Ethnographer of the NPS, was the author of this groundbreaking document. The policy guidance was integrated into the NPS Management Polices in 1988 to address the official NPS position regarding Native Americans, and became the foundation for the NPS applied anthropology or "ethnography" program. This paper discusses how the influence of Miki Crespi led to the development of sensitive policies and practices within the NPS regarding not only Native Americans, but other ethnic minorities whose multiple heritages are now the foci in many NPS locales throughout the U.S.