The Bureau of Indian Affairs held the first listening session on sacred sites in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Monday.

According to the Associated Press, about four dozen tribal leaders and representatives participated in the session. Many said they were frustrated the lack of legal protections for sacred sites and by the federal government's use of sacred sites for development projects.

"These projects, they’re going on with complete disregard to Indians. It’s like we don’t have any say,” observed John Bathke, the historic preservation officer for the Quechan Nation, whose leaders are fighting renewable energy projects on federal land.

Dion Killsback, a counselor to acting assistant secretary Del Laverdure, attended the session. Additional meetings take place in Montana, Minnesota, Connecticut and Oregon.

Get the Story:
Hearing Held on Native Sacred Sites (AP 8/14)
Native Americans speak out to preserve sites (The Farmington Daily Times 8/14)