(August 17, 2026)—I recently gave a presentation at the 2026 Pecos Conference, held near Mancos, Colorado. This essay flows from that talk.

Caveats

First, let me be clear: The views expressed here are my own. I am not making policy statements on behalf of Archaeology Southwest.

And, readers, I also speak plainly; my takes are not positive or rosy. I feel that we must confront what is right in front of us—a determined effort on the part of this administration to destroy or severely curtail the practice of archaeology, preservation, Tribal sovereignty, CRM work, and legitimate museum work. This government also seems intent on ignoring their Trust responsibilities to Indigenous Nations, Pueblos, and Tribes, to the great detriment of Tribal sovereignty and cultural protection.

Finally, please know that I do acknowledge the tough, tough choices for folks across the US who continue to work for the federal government under this administration. This is not about blaming or scapegoating anyone who works for Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Park Service (NPS), Forest Service, or other federal agencies in this current dark age. It is, however, about opposing awful federal policy, in every way possible.

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Many of the items in our Southwest Collection are rare or out of print, so the Collection is available only for in-library use. The Collection includes maps, photographs, and books focused on the history of the region with topics including:

• Early exploration reports 
• Archaeology 
• Local indigenous tribes 
• Hispanic influence 
• Railroads and mining from the late 19th and 20th centuries

For questions about how to access the Southwest Collection or any other research materials, ask at the Reference Desk on the second floor or email: reference@durangoco.gov.

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The club will provide brats, (some vegetarian), buns, condiments, water, iced tea, and lemonade. We are asking participants to bring your favorite dish to share and your own place settings and utensils. You may bring an adult beverage of your choice if you wish.

Family members, guests and prospective members are welcome. Please RSVP by June 1st to Tammie Barger here to allow us time to order food. For additional information or if you would like to volunteer to help with set-up, cooking, or clean-up, please contact Tammie Barger here. We look forward to seeing you on June 10th!

     2. From SJBAS Field Trip Program Coordinator Rusty Chamberlain:
The next Pecos Conference will be held August 6 – 9 near Mancos, CO. Featuring a variety of activities of activities and events, choose 1-4 days of camping or take day trips to participate. The conference site is only an hour from Durango.

Each August, archaeologists gather under open skies, and a big tent, somewhere in the southwestern United States or northwestern Mexico. The Conference is open to all and is a great opportunity to hear from and meet a variety of professional archaeologists informally. (And they love to talk about their work!) On Saturday evening, stay for the dinner and dance. Sign up for one of the field trips led by participating scholars. Vendors on site offer meals and refreshments, or pack a lunch. The conference website has limited info at this time but you can check the conference website here.  Contact Rusty Chamberlain for more info here
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     3. The CSWS has recently announced a new online search capability that makes their archival collections more accessible than ever. Researchers, students, and community members can now search finding aids, explore collection descriptions, and identify materials remotely, improving both discovery and access. This enhanced system supports teaching, research, and public engagement while strengthening long-term stewardship of the Center’s archival holdings. Explore this resource here.

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     2. A series of youth workshops will be held this summer at Chimney Rock National Monument.  The courses are intended for kindergartners through 6th graders. Prices are very reasonable. Click here to see a list of class descriptions. A descriptive flyer for the event is available here. It includes course dates, times and costs for the workshops. You can volunteer to help with the workshops, too.

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