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Tribal relations annual meeting

Tribal Relations

Over twenty federally recognized Native American tribes have notified TVA that they have a cultural and historical interest in the Tennessee Valley.

TVA consults with these tribes on projects that could impact Native American cultural sites. TVA works with these tribes as part of our compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act, the Archaeological Resources Protection Act and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (see laws).

TVA has an important responsibility to manage and protect Native American artifacts, human remains, and traditional cultural places. Native American tribes play an invaluable role in the management of these resources. TVA recognizes the importance of continuing to build relationships and create new partnerships with tribes.

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“It is hard to fully put into words what archaeological sites mean to Native people. These sites are reminders of our past and our ancestors. They teach us how to respect and care for the land that our ancestors have been laid to rest in. They teach us about how our ancestors lived and provide education on who we are and where we come from. They are reminders that we have been here from time immemorial and show us how our ancestors adapted to the times they were living in order for our Tribes to survive and for us to be here today. Archaeological sites give us a physical place that we can visit and bring our children to. They provide a place for our future generations to connect to the land and resources that we came from. Because of all of these things archaeological sites are of upmost value and irreplaceable.”

Lindsey Bilyeu, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

TVA hosted its first TVA-Native American Consultation Workshop in 2002 and began a dialogue with representatives of several tribes to improve the consultation process.

Learn more about these tribes by visiting their websites:


Tribal Relations News

At the Oka Kapassa Festival, four men sit close to a large Native American style drum as they tap brightly colored drumsticks against it

Hands-on History

Fall festivals offer all ages an immersive experience in Native American culture.

As visitors approach the Painted Bluff site, they have a beautiful view from the water.

A Journey to Painted Bluff

Alabama political leaders visit Marshall County’s Native American prehistoric cliff art.

TVA Senior Archeology Specialist Erin Dunsmore travels by boat to check on sealed caves.

Protectors of the Past

Discovery and preservation are hallmarks of archaeology. But modern archaeologists are also expert relationship builders, working with many partners to preserve the past.

Roger Cain, Cherokee ethnobotanist

Ethnobotanist Preserves Tribal History on TVA Lands

Roger Cain, a Cherokee ethnobotanist, discusses his efforts to preserve river cane and other native plants and partnering with TVA on future conservation efforts.

Jake Tiger's demonstration at the first tribal celebration at the Gathering Place in Tulsa, OK

Sewing a Legacy

Seminole Nation member’s hand-sewn traditional clothing featured in museums and on TV.

archeologist in an archeological site

TVA and Tribal Archeologists Reconstruct Ancient Native American Village via Unique Map

Electromagnetic radiation and millions of magnetic frequencies are helping TVA, state and tribal archeologists build a nonintrusive, subsurface map of a Native American archeological site that was first recorded in the 1930s.

River cloud landscaping

Stealing or Preserving History? What to Do if You Find an Artifact

The Tennessee Valley is rich in Native American history. Here's what to do if you find an artifact.

archaeology field survey

Stewardship of Sacred Sites

TVA’s archaeologists and federally recognized Indian tribes worked to develop a plan for conducting limited archaeological excavation of a site located in Jackson County, Alabama.