Reclaiming traditional lands has been a primary concern of the Hopi Tribe for the last century. In 1996, significant land purchases became possible under the terms of a settlement with the United States. The tribal government was faced with the problem of developing a plan for reacquiring lands, prioritizing various goals for the land, and evaluating potential purchases. In response to this challenge, in 1998, the Tribe created the Hopi Land Team, a committee of the Tribal Council. With the goal of striking a balance between preservation and the future, the Team works to identify potential purchases, evaluate their cultural and economic significance and potential, and recommend purchases. The work of the Team leads not only to new development initiatives that increase tribal revenues, but it also brings critical cultural resources and sacred sites back to the Tribe.