What should consitute an introduction to our (archaeology) discipline?
As a Native American involved in the archaeology discipline I have
been struck by the fact that in viewing our North American human history
that it is largely a chronology of indigenous lifeways and cultural
development that has been shaped, in large part, by the archaeology
discipline. As a scientific discipline based on western notions of
time and linear thinking, it continues to privilege interpretations of
the past that are non-indigenous in origin. Perhaps what is most
surprising is the resistance and dismissal of Indigenous models
and theories that offer alternative interpretations of the past.
I believe the reason being is that archaeology, like the general
discipline of anthropology, fails to recognize its own elitist origins
and continues to foster a basic curriculum that is absent of a critical
appraisal of its development in relation to modern day indigenous peoples.
For example, many archaeologist ponder why Indian tribes would protest
the excavation of a paleoindian site when, in their view, these same
tribes are only remotely related because they are too far removed in
time. This is simply because archaeologists are concerned more with the
dead than with the living and cannot seem to fathom an understanding when
the living descendents of an ancient population speak out in protest
against their activities. Something is amiss (they wonder). Is this
largely a result of a persons education and cultural isolation? Perhaps.
But I will point out that many Native communites are actively engaged
in cultural preservation and renewal. In otherwords, we have survived
despite our alleged imminent demise and are seeking ways of restoring
our humanity. This is especially true in terms of legislative recognition
of our basic human rights through ICRA, AIRFA, and NAGPRA. So long as
the archaeology discipline remains isolated from the activism and growing
empowerment of the indigenous community then we can expect to see a
new generation of archaeologists continuing to reinvent the wheel of
conquest and exploitation.
For further info. read: "The Role of Archaeology in Teaching the
Native Past: Ideology or Pedagogy?" by Heather Devine. Can. Journal
of Native Ed., Vol. 18, No. 1.
Phil E. Minthorn, Jr.
Cayuse/Nez Perce
Repatriation Office
NMNH, Smithsonian Inst.
mnhan144@sivm.si.edu