2005
NCSHPO Awards for Excellence in Historic Preservation
Dr. Stan Wilmoth of
the Montana SHPO in the category of Staff in
recognition of his outstanding performance in his job duties.
Dr. Stan Wilmoth is the Montana State
Archaeologist and Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer.
His many accomplishments include: the preservation of countless
archaeological sites, service to the state’s premier historic
sites, and the return of Native American remains to their respective
tribes after a complicated nine-year process.
Through his dedicated and thoughtful
approach, Stan has developed and nurtured a very successful tribal
relationship with the Blackfeet, Crow, Norhtern Cheyenne, Assiniboine,
Salish, Kootenai, and Pend O’reille. He argued for the validity
and importance of tribal participation during the state law changes
in 1995 and again in 2001 with the passage of the Montana Reparation
Act. He has been successful in bridging the often wide chasm between
tribal interests in protecting sites of traditional cultural value
and archaeologists passion for discovering scientific data.
Stan’s outreach efforts are extensive.
One of his most recent efforts has been the Montana Heritage Project,
which enables students and teachers to better understand archaeology
and its methods. He teaches at the University of Montana/Helena.
He works with ranchers to identify archaeological sites and calm
any fears they may have about site documentation. And, Stan works
regularly to promote Montana Archaeology Week by organizing hands-on
activities for participants.
In his twelve-year career at the Montana
State Historic Preservation Office, State has guided projects
and fostered cooperation among public, private, government and
tribal entities. He offers sound guidance and steers others thoughtfully,
honestly, and tactfully towards an understanding of the right
ethic.
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