Collaborative Archaeologies in Northeastern North America

Date/Heure: 
Jeudi, mai 6, 2021 - 1:25pm - 3:05pm
(ADT)
Room: 
1
Organizer(s): 
  • Steven Dorland, Veronica King-Jamieson, Jonathan Ferrier, David Smith
Session Description (300 word max): 

As archaeologists are confronting the colonial legacy in which their discipline is grounded, there are growing developments in archaeology and material culture studies to democratize knowledge through greater inclusion in collaborative approaches. These approaches recognize and promote Indigenous voices, perspectives, and methodologies braided together with archaeological and material culture practices. Rather than focusing on research interests only and seeing Indigenous communities as subjects to be studied, anthropologists are partnering or engaging with communities to find mutually beneficial goals that further prioritize needs and interests of the community. In this session, speakers will present different applications, experiences, and reflections associated with their research in northeast North America, a region that brings its unique challenges and opportunities. This session focuses on collaborative archaeologies and material culture studies in professional, academic, and museum contexts. Past works of scholars and research institutions in this region have contributed significantly to establishing strong community relations. In this session, we continue these efforts through a dialogue on ways of doing, ways of being, and ways of knowing to work towards the decolonization of archaeological and material culture studies.

Présentations
01:25 PM: Towards an Inuit-led Public Archaeology Program in Hebron, Nunatsiavut.
Format de présentation :
Auteur-e(s) :
  • Michelle Davies - Memorial University of Newfoundland
  • Lena Onalik - Nunatsiavut Government

In 1959, Hebronimiut (People of Hebron) were dispossessed from their homeland in northern Labrador. Though Inuit had lived in the region for centuries, the decision to close and resettle the community was a colonial exercise, done without their consultation or consent. However, the story of Hebron is a source of pride and identity among many descendants, and cultural threads continue to connect Labrador Inuit to the region today. The primary goal of the Hebron Family Archaeology Project is to provide opportunities for the residents of Hebron to return to their homeland and to record the stories and memories of elders before they are lost. The research goals, originally centered around household excavation, have shifted to non-invasive archaeological recording methods, family-based interviews, and increasing accessibility. Today, the project is an Inuit-led venture that aims to remove western colonial influence in archaeological practice, from collaboratively designing research questions, through developing appropriate field practices and methods of data collection, to sharing the dissemination of research results appropriately.  This shift in control works to decolonize the process and structure of research, and champion the right for indigenous peoples to define and describe their own past.

01:35 PM: In Conversation with the Ancestors: Indigenizing Shell Heap Research at Acadia National Park, Maine
Format de présentation :
Auteur-e(s) :
  • Bonnie Newsom - University of Maine
  • Natalie Dana-Lolar - University of Maine
  • Isaac St. John - Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians; University of New Brunswick
  • Rebecca Cole-Will - Acadia National Park
  • Catherine Schmitt - Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park (ANP) in Maine is home to at least 24 coastal shell-bearing archaeological sites reflecting the last 4,000 years of Native American life. Most of these sites are threatened by climate change-induced impacts such as sea-level rise and increased storm intensity—the result being an irrecoverable loss of Wabanaki heritage. In a new analysis of legacy collections from previous studies, Wabanaki archaeologists are studying the material heritage of their ancestors and integrating Wabanaki language and values to inspire deeper connections between past and present peoples. This work is designed to support consultations between ANP staff and Wabanaki communities about Indigenous heritage places in the Park, which will encourage culturally informed decisions on coastal site stewardship and management of sites at risk for loss. This effort is an initial step in Indigenizing shell heap research and coastal site management within the context of cultural heritage and climate change loss and damage. 

01:45 PM: Two-Row Wampum-Covenant Chain Tradition applied to the study of Hodinosho:ni ash splint baskets
Format de présentation :
Auteur-e(s) :
  • Talena Atfield - Canadian Museum of History

The Two-Row Wampum Covenant Chain methodology outlines protocols that can facilitate respectful research partnerships between Indigenous communities and researchers. Formed between the Hodinosho:ni confederacy and Dutch merchants arriving near Albany, NY between 1609-1613, this treaty set the precedent for Nation-to-Nation treaties between European colonial powers and Indigenous peoples. The relationship is depicted through two parallel purple rows, one representing the Hodinosho:ni canoe and the other representing Dutch ship, both sailing down a shared river. Both the ship and canoe travel parallel paths, neither interfering with the integrity of the other. In applying this methodology, researchers are encouraged to move away from extractive models and focus on developing new models for sharing the river with Indigenous communities in ways that are relationally respectful and accountable. In this presentation, information gathered through both academic and community sources is given equal weight and authority. Both forms of information gathering, interpretation, and explanation are used in collaboration to convey the continued importance of ash splint basket weaving to Hodinosho:ni communities while creating a mutually beneficial body of information.

01:55 PM: Indigenous and Collaborative Archaeology at the La Cloche Site
Format de présentation :
Auteur-e(s) :
  • Allen Toulouse - Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation
  • Naomi Recollet - Ojibwe Cultural Foundation
  • Kaitlyn Malleau - University of Toronto
  • Sarah Hazell - Laurentian University

The history of research at the La Cloche Site on the north shore of Lake Huron spans 50 years. Past archaeological investigations at Fort La Cloche have generally resulted in a vague understanding of site occupation and boundaries, but it is suspected the site spans an area at least one kilometre square and includes deposits from the Middle Woodland until recently. In this paper, we will examine the background and history of research at the La Cloche Site, as well as the collaborative projects currently being developed between Indigenous and academic partners.

02:25 PM: Learning about Learning: Community-based Archaeology in Partnership with Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation
Format de présentation :
Auteur-e(s) :
  • Steven Dorland - University of Toronto Mississauga
  • Veronica King-Jamieson - Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation
  • Jonathan  Ferrier - Dalhousie University
  • Jordan  Jamieson - Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation
  • David G. Smith - University of Toronto Mississauga

Community-based archaeologies in traditional territories of Anishinaabe, Mississauga, Mi'kmaq, Wendat, Anishinaabe, Cree, and Haudenosaunee, among other Nations has played an instrumental role in unsettling archaeology, democratizing knowledge, and strengthening and repairing relations between communities and academic institutions. In this paper, we introduce the development of a community-based project grounded in partnerships between the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, University of Toronto, and Dalhousie University. There are two goals of this project, 1. Learning about learning past traditions with MCFN community youth, and 2. Develop capacity building for community youth to lead future cultural heritage initiatives and contribute to greater understanding of ancestral practices. As part of this discussion, we also provide our unique perspectives and reflections, to highlight the multi-vocality associated with this project.  The spirit of a community-based project should be centered on the specific needs and interests of the Indigenous community or communities that  archaeologists partner with, and not a one size fits all model. Through this approach, archaeologists can create research partnerships with Indigenous communities across traditional lands that are grounded in strong relationships, trust, respect, and which ultimately succeed to reach project goals and address the needs and interests of Indigenous communities.