CDTC Partners to Provide New Tools and Pathways for Incorporating Indigenous Values in Land Use
Recently, new resources were released to increase awareness of Indigenous History and incorporate Tribal perspectives in landscape use. The Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) partnered to create two public resources– a Cultural Landscape Training Path tool and the first installment of the “Connections to the Land” film series.
“Connection to the Land,” premiered in Acoma, New Mexico in November, and the film highlights the importance of Indigenous voices to the future and conservation of public lands and critical landscapes. The film is a partnership between CDTC, private donors, and the University of New Mexico-Taos (UMN-Taos) Media Arts Program.
“Listening to the perspectives and concerns of Tribal elders about the protection of cultural sites, land, water, and wildlife offers a better understanding of Indigenous values– which include nurturing the land,” said Cornell Torivio (he/him), New Mexico Regional Representative for CDTC, who organized the film.
CDTC also partnered with the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) Program Team for the USDA Forest Service in the inception of another resource, the Cultural Landscape Training Path tool. The work began as a discussion about taking the framework developed for the CDT Scenic Character Assessment and applying a similar standardized approach to gathering data about cultural resources along the CDT.
The Cultural Landscape Training Path consists of a series of research-based story maps and interactive content to educate and inform about Tribal perspectives and from it, principles for improving Indigenous participation in land management.
“This tool provides a more complete toolbox for nurturing landscapes, from the land and its physical resources to its cultural significance and protections,” said CDTC Executive Director, Teresa Martinez (she/her/ella).
CDTC partnered to develop these cultural resources to spread awareness and foster relationships between partners, like trail organizations and Tribal governments, trail users, and Gateway Communities. Martinez believes the tool and framework provide a starting place for envisioning a healthy, collaborative future of land use.
She added, “It’s a new approach– one that considers Indigenous History– and sets forward a way to begin to work together with Indigenous People, and Tribal Sovereigns and Nations in collective stewardship of the critical landscapes along the CDT and beyond.”
For more information, contact communications@continentaldividetrailorg or visit the Cultural Resources section on the CDTC website: continentaldividetrail.org.
Cultural Resources & “Connection to the Land” Film
Cultural Landscape Training Path Tool
CDT Scenic Character Assessment
###
About the Continental Divide Trail
The CDT is one of the world’s premiere long-distance trails, stretching 3,100 miles from Mexico to Canada along the Continental Divide. Designated by Congress in 1978, the CDT is the highest, most challenging, and most remote of the 11 National Scenic Trails. It provides recreational opportunities ranging from hiking to horseback riding to hunting for thousands of visitors annually. While 95% of the CDT is located on public land, approximately 150 miles are still in need of protection.
About the Continental Divide Trail Coalition
The CDTC was founded in 2012 by volunteers and recreationists hoping to provide a unified voice for the Trail. Working hand-in-hand with the U.S. Forest Service and other federal land management agencies, the CDTC is a non-profit partner supporting stewardship of the CDT. The mission of the CDTC is to complete, promote, and protect the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail as a world-class national resource. For more information, please visit continentaldividetrail.org.
Cultural Resources
Increase respect for the land, and engagement with Indigenous communities.
learn more