Update: Federal Directives and Impact on Minidoka NHS
Dear Friends,
Since recent federal directives were issued, Friends of Minidoka (FoM) has been closely monitoring the situation to understand how Minidoka National Historic Site (NHS) will be impacted.
The “buyout” of federal employees, hiring freeze for seasonal workers, and potential firing of probationary employees (those in their position less than a year) concerned Friends of Minidoka because of their effects on Minidoka NHS. Since then, we learned that the freeze on hiring seasonal workers has been partially lifted. However, the firing of probationary employees has commenced. Read about probationary employee firings in this New York Times article.
An exceptional Park Ranger at Minidoka was fired because of their status as a probationary employee. The loss of this position will make staffing of Minidoka NHS' Visitors Center and providing public tours extremely challenging during the busy summer season. We are concerned that additional staff across the South Idaho Parks (Craters of the Moon and Hagerman Fossil Beds) will also be fired, which could affect Minidoka because the three parks share staffing. We have already contacted our Idaho Congressional delegation about the negative impact this will have on the site.
In the meantime, this individual has applied for and was offered FoM’s Program and Outreach Coordinator position. This individual’s deep expertise and skills will be great assets to our team. In this role, they will assist with our 2025 programming.
As we enter this week to commemorate the Day of Remembrance and the signing of Executive Order 9066, we ask for your continued support and generosity. Please consider making a donation to Friends of Minidoka to allow us to fully fund the Program and Outreach Coordinator position from 20 to 40 hours per week. We have secured a large portion of the funds for this position and hope to raise the remaining $24,000. Please donate HERE.
We remain committed to our mission and steadfastly work to ensure that our history as Americans is not erased. We are united with the many Friends Groups who are fighting to ensure that our collective histories are more completely and accurately represented through the National Park Service.
In deep appreciation and gratitude,
Robyn Achilles, Executive Director, Friends of Minidoka
More Potential Impacts
Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program
The Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program, a program under the National Park Service, has been instrumental in helping Minidoka National Historic Site through grants to Friends of Minidoka.
Friends of Minidoka received these federal matching grants to help fund important projects at Minidoka NHS, including: the replica military honor roll; the replica guard tower; the Issei memorial and exhibit in the Visitors Center; and our documentary film Betrayed: Surviving an American Concentration Camp, which can be streamed on Idaho Public Television, and its accompanying short videos and lesson plans.
The JACS grant program, a Congressionally mandated program, has been an important investment in Idaho history, education, and tourism. We also have contacted our Idaho Congressional delegation about the importance of this program.
We will update you as we receive additional information.
Projects funded by the Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program and matching donations through Friends of Minidoka.
Long Term Protections for Minidoka NHS’ Cultural Landscape
We are thankful that there is a pause in the Lava Ridge development. This pause is because the efforts of the Japanese American community, the Idaho community and elected officials, and the Idaho Congressional delegation. However, we are concerned about long term protections for the Minidoka cultural landscape. The Record of Decision (ROD) from the Bureau of Land Management included deferrals of future projects while the BLM considers protections in place from our nomination for an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC).
If the ROD is overturned, we want measures that protect the area from future commercial wind developments. We have contacted the Idaho Congressional delegation about the ACEC process, where it currently stands with the BLM, and other ways we can ensure long term protections.
Finally, Friends of Minidoka submitted a 10-900 form to the Idaho State Historic Preservation Office for the historic footprint of Minidoka to be added to the National Register of Historic Places. Though this is not the full acreage nominated in our ACEC, Friends of Minidoka felt it important to request that a portion of the view shed be listed on the National Register.
To learn more about our fight to protect Minidoka NHS’ cultural landscape, visit our webpage.
We will update you as we receive additional information.