The Chickasaw Nation Department of Homeland Affairs (DHA) is responsible for consulting with federal agencies when they take actions that might cause impacts to sacred sites and culturally significant historic sites in the homelands states of Oklahoma, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). NHPA emphasizes the importance of the historic and cultural foundations of the Nation.  Federal agencies are required to invite tribes’ input in the identification of significant irreplaceable prehistoric and historic properties of the United States that should be preserved.  NHPA and NAGPRA require agencies to consult with tribes to protect graves, and to return graves and grave objects to tribes that are determined to be culturally affiliated.
 
The DHA is responsible for taking actions to promote and protect Chickasaw cultural sites connections and reconnections in the homelands states through archaeological and historical information and evaluations of collections.
 
The DHA is responsible for the management and operation of the private Chickasaw Preserve (Chissa’ Talla’) in Lee County, Mississippi. For information to request or schedule a visit or on any of these activities please see contact information.