Papers by Elizabeth Joffrion
There is a saying in the Lummi language, Nilh tu o that describes the very beginning of time, whe... more There is a saying in the Lummi language, Nilh tu o that describes the very beginning of time, when everything was dark. The Creator came around and gave life to this place we now call the Salish Sea and brought the people the tools they needed to survive. The Creator said to the people, these are yours now - take them. These tools included language, oral histories, and teachings. The people were taught to not only pass these down to future generations, but to uphold the integrity of this knowledge and to protect it. The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) became law on November 16, 1990. This watershed legislation describes the rights of Native American lineal descendants and organizations with respect to the treatment, repatriation, and disposition of Native American human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony. NAGPRA empowered Indigenous nations to take important steps toward reasserting and reaffirming their cultural heritage and patrimony through the legal and rightful transfer of cultural resources from outside institutions to community-based cultural organizations. However, NAGPRA did not address the disposition of rights associated with archival materials and offered no guidance in the ethical management of Indigenous cultural heritage found in records, manuscripts, photographs, and audio and video recordings. Through an evaluation of a long-term collaboration between tribal and non-tribal organizations in Western Washington, this paper will describe efforts to share and understand the Native cultural resources. The narrative explores a series of moral and ethical challenges from both the Native and non-Native perspective and offers strategies for sharing expertise, knowledge, and cultural resources that can assist in addressing historical injustices, misunderstandings and mistrust founded in the misappropriation of Native heritage by non-Native institutions
We are so pleased to present our research on collaborations with native communities at this forum... more We are so pleased to present our research on collaborations with native communities at this forum-the Western RoundUp of archival institutions. We are aware that many archival repositories in the West hold sensitive native cultural materials and that many of us live and work on or near historical tribal lands. This proximity offers important opportunities for building trusting relationships that can heal ancient wounds and that create a more just society. Collaborations between tribal and non-tribal organizations bring diverse communities together, often for the first time, to educate and learn, to address misinterpretations of the past, and to share cultural resources and knowledge. By examining data obtained through a nationally distributed survey, our research explores how successful partnerships between tribal and nontribal institutions are initiated, developed, and maintained; and reveals the "lessons learned" across a wide range of collaborative projects and partnerships. Our overview of collaborative models is intended to offer recommended best practices for both tribal and nontribal organizations interested in sharing useful skills, knowledge, and resources through partnerships built on mutual understanding and respect. SLIDE 2: Project Background and Context (BETH) Our research was grounded in a number of important initiatives over the last decade that served to reassert the rights of Indigenous peoples over their cultural heritage, including, the establishment of the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the Protocols for Native American Archival Materials.
Professional associations—and the conferences they organize—exist to support and enrich practitio... more Professional associations—and the conferences they organize—exist to support and enrich practitioners within a given field, with a primary purpose to provide continuing education and professional development (CE/PD). Traditionally, those affiliated with the library, archives and museum (LAM) sectors find support nationally through their respective national organizations, including the American Alliance of Museums, American Library Association and Society of American Archivists, as well as those on the regional, state or local level. Increasingly, research and trends signal the need and interest in improving understanding and communication among the sectors. By working together, LAMs can benefit from expanding their networks, fostering an exchange of ideas and learning transferable skills. The following guide can assist you and your organization with becoming an advocate for conferences, as a vehicle for working across sectors and building an empowered case for support for collaborat...
Economic Considerations for Libraries, Archives and Museums
This article examines a long-term collaboration between a nontribal and a tribal organization—Wes... more This article examines a long-term collaboration between a nontribal and a tribal organization—Western Washington University and the Lummi Nation. The narrative describes efforts to share and understand the Native cultural resources acquired by the university in the years prior to the development of professional practices for the appropriate management and use of Native American archival materials and explores a series of moral and ethical challenges from both the Native and non-Native perspectives. The article offers strategies for sharing expertise, knowledge, and cultural resources that can assist in addressing historical injustices, misunderstandings, and mistrust founded in the misappropriation of Native heritage by non-Native institutions.
The American Archivist, Mar 1, 2015
Collaborations between tribal and nontribal organizations bring diverse communities together, oft... more Collaborations between tribal and nontribal organizations bring diverse communities together, often for the first time, to educate and learn, to address misinterpretations of the past, and to share cultural resources and knowledge. By examining data obtained through a nationally distributed survey, this research explores how successful partnerships between tribal and nontribal institutions are initiated, developed, and maintained; examines the degree to which the Protocols for Native American Archival Materials were used in the development of policies, procedures, and memorandums of understanding; and reveals the "lessons learned" across a wide range of collaborative projects and partnerships. This overview of collaborative models is intended to offer best practices for both tribal and nontribal organizations interested in sharing useful skills, knowledge, and resources through partnerships.
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Papers by Elizabeth Joffrion