Indigenizing Archaeology in the 21st Century

Summary

Nearly 30 years after the passage of NAGPRA, indigenous perspectives and consultation have led to significant positive changes within the practice of archaeology in the United States. Despite these advances, however, it seems that many archaeologists continue to adhere to the letter of the law while disregarding its spirit, suggesting that the colonial imperatives that gave rise to our discipline remain firmly entrenched. The Eurocentric interpretive frameworks, use of loaded terminology, and paternalistic application of science in determining cultural affiliation show that as a discipline, we still have much learn from those whose pasts we attempt to understand. We ought to critically and reflexively evaluate our discipline’s very purpose. Instead of self-serving, academic ladder climbing and insensitive explication of scientific "truths," the practice of archaeology has the power to strengthen indigenous rights to place and to critical resources. As Western scholars, we need to listen more and pontificate less if we truly wish to serve the needs of descendant communities. This is, after all, what NAGPRA and other federal laws ask of us. Regardless of law, however, our professional ethics should compel us to do better.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

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

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 22279