The Fort Peck Tribes Cultural Preservation Department (CPD) program was established in 1995 (as Cultural Resources) to meet the reservation’s obligations concerning cultural resources and to manage the museum as a repository. The program was created for 2 primary objectives:

 1. Support the Tribal Museum & Cultural Practices

 2. Be good stewards of the land, which hold our sacred sites

These objectives are met through the tribal knowledge, public involvement through education, field surveys, inventory, evaluation, and management of cultural resources in a manner consistent with Federal legislation through strong tribal outreach and research.
The program has since evolved in duties & responsibilities that focus on the loss of cultural resources protection and preservation. Some of the major activities now include;
Constitution amendment to include protection of historic, cultural properties, traditional plants & food. The tribal museum and repository conduct curation, archival research, promote tourism, educate & host awareness events for cultural resources compliance.

Department Key Responsibilities & Functions

Traditional Cultural Properties

A T.C.P. is a place, not just an object, that is significant to a living community for its beliefs, traditions, practices, or history. It's rooted in the community's past and continues to be important for maintaining its cultural identity. T.C.P.'s can include sacred sites, traditional settlement areas, or places where a community has historically carried out cultural practices.

Characteristics of a Traditional Cultural Property:

• Associated with cultural practices, beliefs, and traditions

  • • TCP's are linked to the cultural life of a living community, not just historical relics

• Rooted in history

  • • The significance of the property is tied to the community's past and its ongoing cultural practices

• Important for maintaining cultural identity

  • • The TCP plays a role in sustaining the community's sense of who they are and their cultural heritage

• Not limited to specific types of properties

  • • TCP's can be buildings, structures, landscapes, sites, or even places within urban or rural areas

• Can be religious or secular

  • • TCP's can be associated with religious beliefs or practices, or with other cultural traditions that are not religious

Examples of a Traditional Cultural Property:

• Sacred Sites

  • • Places where Tribes have traditionally gone to perform ceremonial practices

• Traditional Settlement Areas

  • • A rural community where the organization of buildings and land use reflects cultural traditions

• Urban neighborhoods

  • • Urban neighborhood that is the traditional home of a particular cultural group and reflects its beliefs and practices

• Locations where communities have carried out economic, artistic, or other cultural practices

  • • A place where a community has historically engaged in activities important to their cultural identity

Importance of Traditional Cultural Properties:

• Help preserve the cultural heritage of living communities

• Provides a sense of place and belonging for the community

• Serves as a link between the past and present

• Can be eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places

• Gives a deeper understanding of the movement and practices of people and places