Encouraging Indigenous Participation in Trail Management and Interpretation

Learn how one trail organization has been engaging indigenous communities in the interpretation of trails and public lands to help all visitors connect on a deeper level. From the inclusion of land acknowledgments and indigenous place names on trailhead signs to involving tribes in trail design, construction, and exploration, this presentation will offer a suite of successful strategies for engaging indigenous people in trail management.

Learning Objectives:

• Ideas for how to engage indigenous communities in your trail project
• Understanding the difference between respectful dialogue and formal consultation
• Deliverables that benefit native and non-native communities alike
• Why removal of offensive place names from maps, signs, and public lexicon is a vital step in cultural reconciliation

Trail Competencies

• Program Administration
• • Education and Public Outreach
• • Partnership and Collaboration

Relevant Trail Types

• Motorized Trails