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The Native American Programs Committee (NAPC)
History
The Society for California Archaeology was founded in 1966 as a nonprofit scientific and educational organization dedicated to research, understanding, interpretation and conservation of California's heritage. Membership is open to everyone with an interest in California archaeology. It mission and Code of Ethnical Guidelines, among other information, are posted on the About the SCA Page.

The Native American Programs Committee (NAPC) was established on June 7, 1992 by the SCA Executive Board under leadership of SCA President Dick Markley.

Mission Statement
The mission of the SCA Native American Programs Committee is to promote communication and exchange of information among California Indians and cultural resource management (CRM) professionals. The Native community and SCA will accomplish this mission through collaborative efforts in education and technical assistance.

Leadership
The Chairperson(s) of the NAPC is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the SCA Executive Board, which is comprised of elected officials in accordance with its Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.

NAPC Chairperson 1992-1999 - Philip deBarros
NAPC Chairperson 1999-present - Janet P. Eidsness
NAPC Co-Chairs 2007-present - Janet P. Eidsness and Cassandra Hensher.

NAPC Membership and Open Meetings
The NAPC is comprised of a list of interested Committee Members comprised of "SCA members in good standing," and it also reaches out to a second list of "NAPC Friends," who are not SCA members. As of 2008, these group lists include more than 100 California Indians, professional archaeologists and cultural resources managers, and avocational archaeologists. These two lists serve as important points-of-communication from and to the NAPC Chairperson(s), serving as a network to facilitate communications and exchange of ideas about how NAPC can best serve SCA, Native Americans and the state's interested citizenry.

NAPC Open Meetings are held most years in conjunction with the SCA Annual Meeting. These meetings typically provide important feedback from both Native Americans and archaeologists on what we can do to improve or expand our program consistent with the NAPC mission statement.

Programs and Funding

NAPC Annual Operating Budget History
Funding to support NAPC programs is decided annually by the SCA Executive Board and depends upon the fiscal health of this non-profit organization. Between 1992 and 2003, annual NAPC budgets averaged $1500. From 2004 through 2006, the Board awarded annual budgets not to exceed $4700 in recognition of upcoming commitments to hold workshops in partnership with California Indian Tribes and desire to widely distribute the 4th and 5th Edition Sourcebooks. For fiscal year 2007, the Board granted an operating budget not to exceed $5000 to the NAPC program. For FY 2008, $1500 was allocated. For the 2010 Annual Meeting to be held in Riverside, the SCA will support up to five (5) California Indians. Each sponsorship award will be valued at approximately $810.00. Download this year's application information here.

California Indian Sponsorship (formerly, "Scholarship") Program
This NAPC program was initiated in 2005 to support participation and attendance of California Indians at the SCA Annual Meetings. Tax-deductable donations are sought to support meeting participant expenses including lodging at the host hotel, travel and per diem stipends, meeting registration, and fees for each to attend special workshops, the Silent Auction and/or Banquet (average $800/person).

Sponsorship Selection Criteria and Application Process: Applicants must submit a written statement that addresses how their attendance at the SCA Annual Meeting will benefit them, their community and the SCA at large with reference to the Selection Criteria below. Each recipient will be expected to become a member of the SCA at the appropriate category for that year. Criteria for selection of sponsorship awards will include:
  1. The applicant proposes to formally present a paper, participate in and/or organize a symposium, or submit a poster for poster session.
  2. The applicant expresses a specific interest in attending the Meeting because a particular issue or topic is being presented.
  3. The applicant proposes to represent and inform their community by learning more about the SCA and its Annual Meeting.
  4. The applicant is interested in exploring possible career opportunities in archaeology, anthropology, cultural resources management, academia, heritage tourism or other related field.
  5. Sponsorships awards should be given to Native Americans from geographically distinct areas.
Sponsorship application letters may be submitted anytime for the coming year's Annual Meeting, and before the posted deadline (typically, end of January). Download this year's application information here. Written statements (per selection criteria above) may be mailed to:
NAPC Co-Chair, Janet Eidsness,
2448 Sonnenfelt Road,
Bayside, CA 95524
tel: (707) 825-0460, or email

or to the NAPC
c/o SCA Business Office
California Indian Sponsorship Program Recipients:

2006 Annual Meeting in Ventura:
  • Gabriel Gorbet (Maidu), with Greenville Rancheria

2007 Annual Meeting in San Jose:
  • Jim Brown III (Elem Pomo Colony)
  • Melany Johnson (unaffiliated Maidu; Cultural staff at Susanville Indian Rancheria)
  • John Valenzuela (Chair of San Fernando Band of Mission Indians)
  • Donna Yocum (Vice-Chair of San Fernando Band of Mission Indians)
  • Harriet Rhoades (Sherwood Band of Pomo; Chair of CDF Native American Advisory Council)
2008 Annual Meeting in Burbank:
  • Frank Arrendondo (Coastal Band of Chumash Nation)
  • Carmen Lucas (Kwaaymii, Laguna Band)
  • Tanya Ruiz (Barbareno Ventureno Band of Mission Indians)
  • Abel Silvas (Juaneno Band of Mission Indians)
  • Randy Yonemura (Ione Band of Miwok, California Heritage Council)

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