Traditional knowledge, culture, health, and spirituality are closely linked with Native American sacred places. The Native American Rights Fund (NARF) has a long history of protecting these sites and supporting solutions grounded in Indigenous thinking. As part of the observance of Native American Heritage Month and through the end of the year, NARF is highlighting ongoing efforts to protect sacred places.

NARF encourages donations during this holiday season to support their work in safeguarding sacred places and the rights of Native American peoples.

Current U.S. laws and principles of capitalist land ownership continue to separate Indigenous communities from their ancestral lands, often restricting their ability to access sacred sites. This oppression has forced Native people to conceal or alter their ceremonies, medicines, and cultural practices.

Verna Teller, former Isleta Pueblo Governor and Chief Judge, emphasizes how restricted access to sacred places affects the health and survival of Indigenous cultures today. She advocates for bringing Indigenous perspectives into discussions on sustainable living on the land.

Teller took part in a think tank on Sacred Places and Public Health organized by NARF and the Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health. Across the United States, many locations vital to Indigenous cultures remain inaccessible.