U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS), a tribal citizen of the Ho-Chunk Nation and one of the first Native women elected to Congress, is introducing new legislation titled the Truth in National Parks Act to ensure National Park Service (NPS) sites preserve historically and culturally accurate information while setting clear limits on the removal or alteration of materials that reflect that history.
The bill responds to recent concerns about edits and removals of Native-focused interpretive materials at NPS units, including content on forced removal and Indian boarding schools. It would require that materials remain accurate and consistent with each park’s purpose, while still allowing updates when new, credible information emerges. The legislation also strengthens Tribal consultation practices already outlined in NPS policy.
The new legislation comes on the heels of a letter sent on April 13, 2026, by Davids and 18 other members of Congress to Doug Burgum and Jessica Bowron, who is exercising the delegated authority of the Director of the U.S. Department of the Interior.
The letter, sent in response to Executive Order 14253, raises alarm over recent actions affecting historical interpretation at NPS sites. Signed by Donald Trump on March 27, 2025, the order directed the Department of the Interior to review monuments and public history displays.
The letter states that the directive has led to edits and removals of interpretive materials across multiple states, including the reported removal of a Grand Canyon display detailing the forced removal of Native Americans and changes to exhibits at Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument addressing federal Indian boarding schools.
Lawmakers argue these actions set a “dangerous precedent” by limiting public access to complete and accurate historical narratives, particularly those involving Native American experiences. They contend the changes undermine the federal government’s trust and government-to-government relationship with Tribal Nations and conflict with the mission outlined in the National Park Service Organic Act, which requires the agency to preserve historical resources and provide high-quality, research-based interpretation for future generations.
“Growing up, I learned from my family and my community how important it is to tell the truth about our ancestors — even when it’s hard,” Rep. Davids said. “What we’re seeing right now is a deliberate attempt to erase the experiences of Native communities and other marginalized groups from places that are supposed to educate and inform the public. That’s unacceptable. Our national parks should reflect the full story of who we are as a country, not a version edited to fit a political agenda. This bill is about protecting the integrity of those stories, honoring Tribal voices, and making sure future generations learn the truth.”
“The Trump Administration’s relentless whitewashing and rewriting of American history is a disgrace to this nation’s fundamental values. Each national park site represents the rich cultural and historic roots that shaped America,” Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY-10) said. “This legislation will safeguard sites in NY-10, such as the African Burial Ground, the Stonewall National Monument, and Ellis Island, and reverse any attempts to erase history at National Park sites — including the recent effort to take down the Pride flag and erase Trans and Queer history at Stonewall. I refuse to allow any sitting president to have unilateral authority in dictating how these stories are told.”
The Truth in National Parks Act seeks to amend federal law governing the NPS to emphasize historical and cultural accuracy in all interpretive and educational materials presented at park sites. Specifically, it updates existing statutory language to require that NPS programming not only be educational and analytical but also explicitly “historically and culturally accurate,” establishing accuracy as a formal standard guiding how history is presented across the National Park System.
The legislation also limits when the Department of the Interior can remove or alter interpretive materials—such as signs, exhibits, and online content—at park sites. Under the bill, materials deemed historically and culturally accurate and aligned with a park’s purpose generally cannot be removed or changed. However, exceptions are allowed when updates are necessary to incorporate new, accurate information or to introduce new exhibits. In those cases, the Secretary of the Interior must consult with relevant stakeholders, including Indian Tribes when appropriate, reinforcing a collaborative approach to historical interpretation.
Additionally, the bill requires the restoration or replacement—within 180 days—of any accurate materials altered or removed between January 20, 2025, and the law’s enactment. Beyond interpretive content, the legislation directs the Comptroller General to produce a report within one year on co-stewardship agreements between federal agencies and Indigenous communities. The report is intended to evaluate current practices and recommend improvements to better meet federal trust responsibilities, signaling a broader focus on Indigenous involvement in the stewardship and interpretation of public lands.
The legislation is endorsed by the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and the National Parks Conservation Association.
“Under these unprecedented times, when factual history and science in our parks are being called into question, we’re grateful for Representative Davids’ leadership that protects the integrity of the truthful and inclusive stories told within the National Park System,” said Terrius Harris, Midwest Senior Program Manager, National Parks Conservation Association. “This bill ensures that our Tribal partners, along with others, are consulted effectively and share the collective power of owning our American story. Our national parks are living classrooms where our shared history comes to life, helps inform our future, and inspires us to find the beauty in our country and each other.”
