American Indians, Eglin workforce strengthen relationship

  • Published
  • By Jerron Barnett
  • Eglin Environmental Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Representatives from four federally-recognized American Indian tribes recently visited Eglin.

The main objectives of the visit were for the representatives to meet with Eglin commanders and to learn more about Eglin's military mission and cultural resources management. Meetings of this nature give the tribes and Air Force leaders the opportunity to build their government-to-government relationship, improve communication and understand each party's perspective on cultural resources management.

Air Force policy requires installation commanders or their designated 0-6 representatives to meet periodically with designated representatives of each Indian tribe that is affected by the installation's plans, activities or operations. The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, Seminole Tribe of Florida, Poarch Band of Creek Indians of Alabama and the Muskogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma are all culturally affiliated with this area.

Col. Rick LoCastro, 96th Air Base Wing vice commander, and other members of ABW leadership met with the representatives. They were joined later at lunch that day by Col. Arnold Bunch, Air Armament Center vice commander.

During the meeting, Col. LoCastro expressed Eglin's commitment to being good stewards of the land it manages to the group, as well as his respect for the cultures that lived here before.

While the group of representatives seemed to be enjoying themselves up to that point, a poster of the Airman's Creed that's located on the AAC's conference room wall caught the eye of Mr. Turner Bear Jr., who along with his wife, Joyce, were representing the Muskogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma.

"Sir, I noticed your Airman's Creed on the back wall, and it's very similar to what we believe in," Mr. Bear said to Col. LoCastro. "I just want to thank you and your people for all you do to protect this nation. You all are doing a great job."

After lunch, the representatives spent the rest of that day and all of the next day with the Eglin Cultural Resources staff. They toured various archaeological sites and discussed ways to streamline the consultation process for current and future Eglin actions. Eglin's Cultural Resources staff regularly consults with the tribes when Eglin actions affect cultural resources.

In all, the tribe representatives and Eglin felt it was a very productive and informative visit.

"We had a successful visit," Maria Rodriguez, Eglin Cultural Resources Branch chief, said. "The impression I was left with was that we have more similarities than differences, such as the importance of heritage, family, and the protection of our history."

Dawn Hutchins, Seminole Tribe of Florida Tribal Historic Preservation Office compliance review supervisor, will share her positive experiences at Eglin with members of the tribe.

"I was greatly impressed by the level of science and research being conducted at Eglin," Ms. Hutchins said. "It was apparent that the (cultural) team at Eglin cares deeply for the various tribes and will do everything they can to maintain a productive working relationship."