Archaeology and Social Justice in Native America

Abstract

Over the past 20 years, collaboration has become an essential aspect of archaeological practice in North America. In paying increased attention to the voices of descendant and local communities, archaeologists have become aware of the persistent injustices these often marginalized groups face. Building on growing calls for a responsive and engaged cultural heritage praxis, this forum article brings together a group of Native and non-Native scholars working at the nexus of history, ethnography, archaeology, and law in order to grapple with the role of archaeology in advancing social justice. Contributors to this article touch on a diverse range of critical issues facing Indigenous communities in the United States, including heritage law, decolonization, foodways, community-based participatory research, and pedagogy. Uniting these commentaries is a shared emphasis on research practices that promote Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination. In drawing these case studies together, we articulate a sovereignty-based model of social justice that facilitates Indigenous control over cultural heritage in ways that address their contemporary needs and goals.

The future of archaeology is (still) community collaboration

“…Darling et al 2015; see also Smith & Wobst 2004 on the parallel development in Australia). Scholars working within the framework of Indigenous Archaeology are pushing the discipline forward by asking, “How can archaeologists reshape who controls, has access to, and benefits from the products of their research in ways that strengthen Indigenous sovereignty?” (Laluk et al 2022: 660). Similar calls for accountability to Indigenous sovereignty within archaeological and heritage management circles have been framed using human rights legislation such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).…”

Refining Archaeological Data Collection and Management

“…On the other hand, such frameworks also provide an opportunity to decolonize archaeology and redress past wrongs while fostering greater collaboration with Indigenous Peoples and greater respect for Indigenous rights and interests. Adherence to Indigenous data governance frameworks could also help archaeology achieve greater relevance by (a) refining data practices to better support the protection of Indigenous rights, interests, and heritage; and (b) enriching research and policy with knowledge and perspectives that Indigenous communities choose to share (Atalay 2012, 2020; Laluk et al 2022; Larson et al 2020; Ogar et al 2020). In the future, data governance frameworks will likely be viewed as essential tools for guiding archaeological data practices and the data life cycle.…”

Archaeology in 2022: Counter‐myths for hopeful futures

“…Today, the tenets of avoidance are also maintained in respecting ancient places and materials; the highest form of respect is to avoid these spaces. Starting from a position of respectful avoidance, with case‐by‐case permitting by Ndee communities for tactical engagement with repatriation, serves to strengthen Ndee identification, their narrative sovereignty, and stories of persistence rather than archaeology's preferred “terminal narratives” (see also Laluk et al., 2022).…”