Proper respect for Native American recordings
April 15, 2010 8:37 PM Subscribe
In recent years museums and archives have become more sensitive to audio and visual recordings of Native Americans, especially when ceremonies, prayers and chants are involved. Are there any "best practices" out there?
I would also like to see specific policies from major museums. Thanks
I would also like to see specific policies from major museums. Thanks
Please remember that each group may have different policies for similar types of events or rituals. The Ojibwe are not the Hidatsa are not the Navajo.
posted by Madamina at 9:30 PM on April 15, 2010
posted by Madamina at 9:30 PM on April 15, 2010
Response by poster:
Please remember that each group may have different policies for similar types of events or rituals.
I thinking more along the lines of recordings made a long time ago that are now sitting in archives or museums. How do curators and archivists decide what can be played for the public and what can't. Obviously talking to the tribe is paramount, but is there a document out there that says "this is what you do and how you do it?"
posted by nestor_makhno at 9:43 PM on April 15, 2010
Please remember that each group may have different policies for similar types of events or rituals.
I thinking more along the lines of recordings made a long time ago that are now sitting in archives or museums. How do curators and archivists decide what can be played for the public and what can't. Obviously talking to the tribe is paramount, but is there a document out there that says "this is what you do and how you do it?"
posted by nestor_makhno at 9:43 PM on April 15, 2010
This is somewhat tangential to your question, since it involves linguistics, but there is the Northwest Indian Language Institute, which "provides Native language teachers and community members with training in language teaching, and Linguistics. With tribal partners, NILI supports and strengthens language preservation efforts by establishing collaborative, on-going projects which meet the specific needs and desires of each language community." My university's college of arts and sciences publishes a magazine; their latest issue had articles about preservation of Native American languages... you can read it online here: Cascade, Spring 2010.
I'm pretty sure that museums get in touch with linguistics researchers and institutes like these to decide on what to show.
posted by fraula at 3:08 AM on April 16, 2010
I'm pretty sure that museums get in touch with linguistics researchers and institutes like these to decide on what to show.
posted by fraula at 3:08 AM on April 16, 2010
Don't know where you're looking specifically, but you might want to read Spirited encounters: American Indians protest museum policies and practices (preface at least is available online) for some backgrounder.
posted by jessamyn at 5:32 AM on April 16, 2010
posted by jessamyn at 5:32 AM on April 16, 2010
I would second immlass's recommendation. Here is a link to the media archive page. They don't have the answers to your questions online but they do have contact info.
I've never been there but I've heard that their archives facility, which is out in Suitland, MD, and is not part of the museum itself, has some interesting things not found in traditional archives,specifically to make it more culturally sensitive to American Indians (I can't really remember, but I believe there is a room for ceremonial use).
posted by kaybdc at 7:38 AM on April 16, 2010
I've never been there but I've heard that their archives facility, which is out in Suitland, MD, and is not part of the museum itself, has some interesting things not found in traditional archives,specifically to make it more culturally sensitive to American Indians (I can't really remember, but I believe there is a room for ceremonial use).
posted by kaybdc at 7:38 AM on April 16, 2010
This is really a good question for Rumple.
Coincidentally, his blog was on the blue yesterday.
posted by klanawa at 7:45 AM on April 16, 2010
Coincidentally, his blog was on the blue yesterday.
posted by klanawa at 7:45 AM on April 16, 2010
Best answer: My museum has many such items in the collection. There are a number of established best practices promoted by specific institutions or organizations, many legal requirements of the nation, state, and tribe, and many commonsense pragmatic approaches, all in play at the same time.
In recent years, treatment of culturally significant material has created what is really a revolution in museum practice. All museums who receive any federal funding in the US have to comply with NAGPRA, a set of regulations developed in the early 90s that requires certain categories of objects - sacred and funerary and other objects from recognized US and native Hawaiian tribes - be repatriated with the descendants of the groups they were taken from.
Wikipedia reports:
The overwhelming 'best practice' is the use of advisory groups. They can tell you what you don't know and uncover resources and guide materials you couldn't have imagined. It's the most efficient way to get informed on the topic. I have seen the power of a knowledgeable advisory group in preventing negative outcomes for exhibitions and museum programs. You can convene one even over a phone or web conference for a fairly low cost. If you are looking at objects of a specific cultural group, draw advisory group members mainly from within that group, but consider including an art historian or anthropologist who has worked with that area, as well. If it's a broad-based collection you're dealing with, a broad-based group will be helpful.
posted by Miko at 9:30 AM on April 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
In recent years, treatment of culturally significant material has created what is really a revolution in museum practice. All museums who receive any federal funding in the US have to comply with NAGPRA, a set of regulations developed in the early 90s that requires certain categories of objects - sacred and funerary and other objects from recognized US and native Hawaiian tribes - be repatriated with the descendants of the groups they were taken from.
Wikipedia reports:
Since the legislation has been passed, the human remains of approximately 32 thousand individuals have been returned to their respective tribes. Nearly 670 thousand funerary objects, 120 thousand unassociated funerary objects, and 3500 sacred objects have been returned."Many of the major museum associations have working groups (permanent or project-based) on Native museum issues and/or issue whitepapers and present conferences. The Institute of American Indian Art awards museum studies degrees with a native speciality. The book Spirited Encounters describes clashes between museums and native groups. Also see Protocols for Native American Archival Materials. Back issues of the journal Curator might help, but I can't find an archive online.
The overwhelming 'best practice' is the use of advisory groups. They can tell you what you don't know and uncover resources and guide materials you couldn't have imagined. It's the most efficient way to get informed on the topic. I have seen the power of a knowledgeable advisory group in preventing negative outcomes for exhibitions and museum programs. You can convene one even over a phone or web conference for a fairly low cost. If you are looking at objects of a specific cultural group, draw advisory group members mainly from within that group, but consider including an art historian or anthropologist who has worked with that area, as well. If it's a broad-based collection you're dealing with, a broad-based group will be helpful.
posted by Miko at 9:30 AM on April 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
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posted by immlass at 9:10 PM on April 15, 2010