Representatives from five Tribal nations met with leadership at Schriever Space Force Base in Colorado on September 16, 2025, to strengthen government-to-government relationships and discuss the preservation of culturally significant sites on military land. The event was part of a broader Department of the Air Force initiative involving multiple installations along Colorado's Front Range.
The consultation focused on findings from an earlier survey, including the identification of native plants used in traditional practices and a unique rock formation believed to align with the Ursa Major constellation. This ongoing collaboration aims to fulfill federal treaty responsibilities and ensure the protection of indigenous heritage on U.S. military property.
Key Takeaways
- Representatives from five Tribal nations visited Schriever Space Force Base for a formal consultation on September 16, 2025.
- The visit is part of a larger Department of the Air Force initiative to engage with Tribal nations at Colorado's Front Range installations.
- A key discovery from a prior survey is a rock formation aligned with the Ursa Major constellation, which is now being evaluated for official protection.
- The collaboration is guided by federal laws and treaties requiring government-to-government consultation for the protection of cultural resources.
A Meeting of Sovereign Nations
Leadership from Space Base Delta 41 (SBD 41) at Schriever Space Force Base formally welcomed six representatives from five sovereign Tribal nations. The delegation was treated as national dignitaries, reflecting the government-to-government nature of the relationship.
The visiting nations included the Jicarilla Apache Nation, the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana, the Northern Arapaho Tribe, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, and the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation.
U.S. Space Force Col. Eric Bogue, commander of SBD 41, and other base leaders met with the representatives for a briefing and a traditional exchange of gifts, including sweet grass and buffalo jerky. The formal proceedings were followed by a shared meal to encourage open conversation and relationship-building.
The Front Range Tribal Consultation
This event at Schriever was one of several meetings between the Department of the Air Force (DAF) and Tribal nations. Other participating installations along Colorado's Front Range include Buckley Space Force Base, Peterson Space Force Base, Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station, and the U.S. Air Force Academy. The coordinated effort underscores a commitment to fulfilling federal trust and treaty obligations across the region.
Identifying Sacred and Significant Sites
A primary focus of the September 16 consultation was to review findings from a comprehensive survey conducted earlier in the year. From July 21-25, 2025, Tribal Cultural Specialists visited the base to conduct a Traditional Cultural Places (TCP) survey, a process designed to identify areas of religious or cultural importance on federal land.
"Relationship building is an important part of Schriever SFB’s mission. We are honored to be chosen to have this opportunity to support these tribal relations and hold safe the indigenous knowledge given us."
- Lisa Oliver, SBD 41 Cultural Resources Program Manager
During the July survey, 11 Tribal Cultural Specialists and 12 base volunteers systematically covered 644 acres of land. Their work led to two significant findings that were discussed during the follow-up consultation.
The Great Bear Rock Formation
The most notable discovery was a formation of river stones that are not native to the immediate area. The stones appear to have been intentionally placed in an exact alignment with the stars of Ursa Major, also known as the Great Bear constellation, a figure of major importance in many indigenous cultures.
Traditional Plants for Harvesting
The survey also identified several species of native Colorado plants on the base that hold cultural significance for harvesting and traditional use. Protecting these plant populations is a key part of preserving living cultural heritage.
Legal Framework for Consultation
Engagements like the TCP survey are mandated by numerous federal laws, regulations, and executive orders. These legal frameworks, including Department of the Air Force Instruction 90-2002, require federal agencies to consult with federally recognized tribes on a government-to-government basis, especially concerning actions that may affect tribal lands or cultural resources.
The Path to Protection
The TCP survey is the first step in a formal process to document and protect culturally significant resources. Jessica Woo, the SBD 41 environmental chief, emphasized the importance of this work.
"It is critical that federal agencies recognize cultural resources as being significant national assets and take a proactive role in the identification and stewardship of cultural resources on public lands," Woo stated.
The process for protecting these sites involves several stages:
- Field Survey: Tribal Cultural Specialists physically survey the land to identify potential sites.
- Internal Consultation: Specialists consult with their Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, tribal elders, and other knowledge keepers to confirm the significance of their findings.
- Formal Report: A detailed TCP report is compiled for the installation, noting any potential Traditional Cultural Places as defined by the National Park Service.
- State-Level Registration: For sites deemed culturally important, like the Ursa Major rock formation, tribal councils will make recommendations for registration with the State Historic Preservation Office of Colorado, which can provide official protection.
According to Lisa Oliver, who coordinated the consultation, these surveys are the first of their kind for U.S. Space Force and U.S. Air Force installations along the Colorado Front Range. The collaboration between SBD 41 and the Tribal nations serves as a model for how military installations can work proactively to honor treaties and safeguard the cultural heritage located on the lands they manage.