From the Field to the Smithsonian: A New Chapter for CHRIS

It has been a busy and exciting few months, and I wanted to take a moment to share an important professional update.

In February 2026, I accepted a position in a new role as Community Liaison for the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History within the International Repatriation and Domestic Returns Program. This position focuses on helping connect museums, institutions, descendant communities, and stakeholders in conversations surrounding human dignity, repatriation, ethical stewardship, and community engagement.

For me personally, this role represents the culmination of more than two decades of work in archaeology, anthropology, cemetery preservation, forensic anthropology, and community-centered heritage research. It is both an honor and a responsibility that I take very seriously.

Naturally, several people have asked what this means for Cultural Heritage Resource Impact Solutions, Inc. (CHRIS).

The answer is simple:

CHRIS is still active.

While my day-to-day focus has shifted toward national-level heritage and repatriation work, CHRIS remains an important part of my professional mission and continues to provide specialized cultural heritage services.

What is changing is our emphasis.

Over the past year, CHRIS has evolved from a traditional cultural resource management firm into a more focused research, strategy, and advisory practice. Rather than pursuing a high volume of field projects, we are concentrating on the areas where we can provide the greatest value and make the greatest impact.

Moving forward, CHRIS will place increased emphasis on:

• African Diaspora and descendant community research

• Burial ground and cemetery investigations

• Historic context development

• Cultural landscape studies

• Heritage planning and strategy

• Community engagement and consultation support

• Repatriation-informed research and advisory services

• Specialized cultural resource compliance support

• Cultural heritage due diligence and risk assessment

This shift reflects both the changing needs of our clients and the growing recognition that cultural heritage work extends far beyond excavation. Some of the most important work happens through research, relationship building, planning, consultation, and helping organizations make informed decisions about the people, places, and histories they are entrusted to steward.

CHRIS will continue to selectively pursue projects that align with our expertise and mission. We remain committed to helping communities, agencies, nonprofits, and development partners navigate complex cultural heritage challenges while honoring the stories and histories that make places meaningful.

The Smithsonian position also creates new opportunities to bring broader perspectives, expanded professional networks, and deeper insight into emerging conversations surrounding heritage stewardship, ethical practice, and community collaboration.

As always, I am grateful for the clients, partners, colleagues, and communities who have supported CHRIS from the beginning. The journey has taken some unexpected turns, but the mission remains the same:

Preserving Our Past, Honoring Our Histories, Supporting Our Future.

Thank you for being part of the journey.

Christina Benton

Founder and Principal Investigator Cultural Heritage Resource Impact Solutions, Inc. (CHRIS)