The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Tribal Historic Preservation Office consults with federal agencies on projects that may affect historical , culturally sensitive and sacred sites across the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

The United States acknowledges federally recognized Indian tribes as sovereign nations; thus, federal government interaction with federally recognized Indian tribes takes place on a “government-to-government” basis. The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA) was designed to preserve historic and archaeological sites in the United States of America. Section 106 of the NHPA requires federal agencies to consider the effects of projects they carry out, license, or financially assist on historic properties. In carrying out its responsibilities under the Section 106 review process, the NHPA requires that a federal agency must consult with any Indian tribe that attaches religious and cultural significance to historic properties that may be affected by the agency’s undertakings and allow them to comment on these projects.

Agencies or entities seeking to consult with the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians on a particular project should contact the Tribal Historic Preservation Office to begin the review process.

This is an on-going part of the THPO’s responsibilities to work toward repatriation of ancestral remains or cultural items. To date, over 100 remains and funerary objects need to be reburied. Some of the items are housed at the MDAH Museum and Harvard Peabody Museum.  Currently the THPO is researching for best reburial site or repatriation cemetery for MBCI.