All tours are led by Don Montoya, MA, RPA, a Native American archaeologist with decades of experience in cultural resource management and Indigenous interpretation of the Colorado Plateau.

Don works as a cultural resources management consultant. Don retired from the Bureau of Land Management in 2018 as a Field Office archaeologist in the Moab, Utah office. Previously, he was the museum curator and site archaeologist at the Anasazi State Park Museum, Boulder, Utah.

Don holds a Masters degree in Anthropology/Archaeology, a Masters Graduate certificate in museum studies, undergraduate degrees in Anthropology and Electronics Technology. His
research interests are in Ethnobotany, Rock Imagery, Archaeometry, and Archaeoastronomy.

Don’s focus is on the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). He consults with State and Federal Agencies, Museums, and Native American Tribes on NAGPRA
issues. He was instrumental in the repatriation of Human remains and associated funerary objects excavated from the Coombs Archaeological Site at the Anasazi State Park, Boulder, UT.
Don also led repatriation efforts at the Fremont Indian State Park, Sevier, UT, Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum, Vernal, UT, and the Edge of the Cedars State Park,
Blanding, UT.
He conducts his research on prehistoric occupation of the Canyonland’s geophysical region of the Colorado Plateau. He also presents lectures and gives tours of archaeological sites of the
Canyonland’s region of the Colorado Plateau, with focus on the prehistoric occupation of the Moab and Boulder, Utah areas.

Don is an adjunct instructor for the Utah Master Naturalists, Dark Sky Observations course offered by Utah State University Extension. He teaches Native American Astronomy as part of
that course. Don offers lectures and night sky observations of Native American interpretations of the Cosmos. He has presented at Capital Reef National Park, Antelope Island State Park,
Dinosaur National Monument, Arches National Park, Anasazi State Park, Moab Information Center, and Castle Valley.

Don’s affiliations and memberships are with the Utah Humanities Council, Old Spanish Trail Association, Utah Rock Art Research Association, Utah Professional Archaeological Council,
Register of Professional Archaeologists, Canyonlands Natural History Association, Canyonlands Field Institute, American Museum Alliance, Anasazi State Park Museum, and the Moab
Museum.

Prior to starting his journey in Archeology/Anthropology and museum studies, Don worked 25 years in the electronics and computer industry in Denver, Colorado Springs, and Albuquerque. He retired from Hewlett Packard Company in 1992.

Don is married to Cecilia (Tia) Herrera Montoya. They have 6 children (5 living), 21 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.