Tribes have limited ability to stop construction projects that disrupt culturally significant places

Construction on a portion of a nearly $70 million highway expansion project is halted after workers discovered multiple sets of human remains. Tribes say the costly delay and potential project redesign could have been avoid had state transportation officials took warnings about the site seriously more than a quarter century ago. Another project — a luxury apartment building in Miami — is moving ahead, even after workers discovered some human remains and culturally and historically significant structures and artifacts.

GUESTS

Kathy Bancroft (member of the Lone Pine Paiute-Shoshone Tribe), tribal historic preservation officer for the Lone Pine Paiute-Shoshone Tribe 

Danelle Gutierrez (Big Pine Paiute Tribe of the Owens Valley), tribal historic preservation officer for the Big Pine Paiute Tribe of the Owens Valley

Martha Tommie (member of the Seminole Tribe of Florida from the Deer Clan), American Indian Movement Florida Chapter member 

Robert Rosa (Taino), president of the American Indian Movement Florida Chapter and chairman of the Florida Indigenous Alliance