Left to right: Dr. Ian Thompson, Choctaw tribal archaeologist;  Sue Folsom, executive director of the Cultural Resources and Historical Preservation Department; and Terry Cole, Choctaw Historic Preservation officer. CHOCTAW NATION  PHOTODURANT, Okla. – The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma has a new weapon in the preservation of their descendant’s culture and heritage – two certified tribal crime scene investigators.


Terry Cole, the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO), and Dr. Ian Thompson, the Tribal archaeologist, recently completed the “Archaeological Law Enforcement Class” in Bishop, Calif. This course focused on what is required to enforce and prosecute violators of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (ARPA).
The ARPA was enacted “to secure, for the present and future benefit of the American people, the protection of archaeological resources and sites which are on public and tribal lands.”
Before they received this training, the Choctaw Nation had no personnel qualified to investigate the actual or suspected desecration to archaeological resources such as archaeological sites, burial sites or removal of tribal artifacts, making prosecuting those who violated the ARPA a difficult undertaking.
“We had no recourse against violators before because we didn’t have the training to investigate archaeological crimes,” said Cole, Director of the Historic Preservation Department.
“Preservation is a huge part of what this department does and now we can help prosecute violators that have desecrated sacred tribal sites because we have the training to do so,” he said.
The class focused on the background of the preservation laws, techniques to gather evidence, information on networks of artifact collectors, resources to prosecute violators and types of information needed for prosecution.
They trained on mock-up crimes scenes during the course using equipment and resources such as ground penetrating radar, GPS location devices and arch maps, along with the vast knowledge of the participants involved.
The class also explained why a licensed archaeologist is required for historical background data and to make tribe-specific determinations. The archaeologists also serve as expert witnesses should the case go to trial.
“Archaeologists are involved to make determinations about tribe affiliation through burial locations, burial types, pottery or other artifacts found at the location,” said Thompson.
“The Choctaw tribe is a ‘removed tribe,’” he continued. “They came to this area from Mississippi in the 1830s but there were other tribes here already – the Caddo and Wichita tribes. We act as protectors not only for the Choctaw tribe but for the other tribes as well.”
The types of disturbances range from arrowhead and pot hunters to grave robbers and removal of buried remains.
“Traditional beliefs of the Choctaws are to the leave remains where they are found or reburied as close as possible to the original location, “ explained Thompson.
“The objects they’re taking belong to all of us and are sacred to Native Americans,” he said.
Attending the training arose from a need for someone to work with law enforcement agents to stop and punish those disturbing tribal artifacts.
Sue Folsom, the executive director over the Cultural Resources and Historical Preservation Department, explained that their job is to “protect and preserve” the culture and heritage left behind by past Choctaws.
“In the past nothing has been done to people who committed these crimes,” said Folsom.  “They would take whatever they want from graves and tribal sites and would leave it disturbed. Now, with new laws and training, we can do something to stop it.”
“These sites are sacred to the Choctaws,” she continued.
Removal of artifacts from tribal land is a federal offense, so when there is an occurrence of this, the investigators work with tribal and federal marshals; when it takes place on private property, a misdemeanor, state and local authorities take the lead, with the assistance of the tribal investigation team.
Their department investigates any disturbances to tribal archaeological resources and documents their findings.
“We record what is taken, do footprint castings, document anything that will make it more likely for a successful prosecution of those committing these crimes,” said Thompson.
Investigation of these incidents requires methodical examination and documentation and must be treated as a crime scene by the investigation team.
“We have a responsibility to the Choctaws,” said Cole. “We’re now capable of protecting our ancestors.”
The Choctaw Nation is the first tribe in Oklahoma to receive this training and the team will be available to advise and assist other tribes in the area.
“Most tribes don’t have a trained investigation team with the ability to handle these situations,” said Cole. “We’re fortunate to have a Chief that supports the training and protection of our heritage and cultural resources. Hopefully we can set an example for other tribes in the state.”
The Choctaw Nation will host training in archaeological crime scene investigation in Durant at the end of February.  All tribal governments, along with state and federal agencies will be invited to attend the course.