"[1] THPOs can be appointed by Indian tribes that are recognized by the federal government to direct and lead programs that were supported by the National Park Service.
To create a position, the tribe submits a historic preservation plan to the NPS.
[1] This plan is supposed to describe how the "proposed Tribal Historic Preservation Officer functions will be carried out.
"[3] They are elected to perform the same duties as a State Historic Preservation Office, but not forced or required to.
THPOs works with museums to implement the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).