The Texas Archeological Society (TAS) has been offering scholarships to support Native Americans who attend the TAS Field School since 2003. This program allows our members to meet, talk with, and learn from the native people whose traditions and lifeways are tied to Texas archeological sites. Scholarships are sponsored by donations from members of TAS and other local archeological societies, the Council of Texas Archeologists, archeological contracting firms, foundations, and others.

TAS Field Schools teach the principles of archeological survey, excavation, and laboratory processing through working side-by-side with experienced avocational and professional archeologists.  This is an ideal activity for families and persons of all ages who are in good health.  Informative lectures and activities are offered, and newcomers are given special training.  Young people between the ages of 7 and 13 attend an educational program.  Persons under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult sponsor.  Visit the TAS Field School page for more information.

TAS will support the majority of the Field School costs for no more than two scholarship recipients from each native group per Field School, as funds allow.  The Field School registration fee is waived, and each scholarship recipient is given a kit containing the tools needed for excavation or survey.  Scholarships may include partial reimbursement for the expenses of persons traveling to Field School.  Reimbursement for long-distance travel may be restricted, determined by the distance and availability of funds.  Each scholarship recipient is registered as a TAS member, and will receive the Bulletin of the Texas Archeological Society and Texas Archeology newsletter.

Since 2003, over 100 Native Americans have participated in the TAS Native American Field School scholarship program, including members of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma, Cherokee Nation, Chickasaw Nation, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Comanche Nation of Oklahoma, Delaware Nation, Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, Kiowa Indian Tribe of Oklahoma, Lipan Apache Band of Texas, Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, Tap Pilam/Coahuiltecan Nation, and other groups. 

For more information please contact the current Native American Field School Scholarship committee Chair at:

native-american-chair@txarch.org