Sovereignty, Colonialism, and Collaboration: Reflections on Archaeological and Ethnographic Work on the Lower Columbia River

Summary

Over the course of the last two decades I have been actively involved in anthropological research along the Lower Columbia River. This includes archaeological field work conducted within and just outside of the boundaries of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge in Washington, as well as a heritage ethnography completed in collaboration with the Chinook Indian Nation. This research has happened on both federal and private lands and has involved multiple "stakeholders," including both federally recognized and non-recognized tribal nations. This work has also been conducted in a region where heritage claims and archaeological sites are occasionally contested, and where the cultural connections and "authenticity" of tribal communities are at times questioned. In my presentation I'll reflect on the challenges of navigating my responsibility, and positionality as an anthropologist – especially one committed to "engaged," ethical, and community-relevant research – in an arena where multiple interests and jurisdictions intersect. I'll argue that although negotiating my position as a researcher can be difficult, a focus on the centrality of tribal sovereignty (both as it's legally defined and enacted by communities), as well as constant mindfulness of the continuing manifestations of colonialism, can offer guidance for an appropriate and engaged research path.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 83rd Annual Meeting, Washington, DC (2018)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 21148