Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-q99xh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-25T08:05:27.098Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Beyond the Margin: American Indians, First Nations, and Archaeology in North America

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Joe E. Watkins
Joe E. Watkins*
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87131-0001
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

In North America, American Indians and First Nations have often been at odds with archaeologists over the status of their relationships, about who should have control over research designs and research questions, the interpretation of information about past cultures, and the ways past cultures are represented in the present. While the influence of the voice of Indigenous Nations in the discipline has risen, in many ways their voices are as stifled now as they were in the 1960s. This paper gives an American Indian perspective on the current practice of archaeology in North America and offers suggestions for improving relationships.

Résumé

Résumé

En Norteamérica, los indígenas americanos y las gentes de las “Primeras Naciones” han estado frecuentemente en desacuerdo con los arqueólogos en cuanto a quién debe tener control sobre diseños y preguntas de investigación, la interpretación de información sobre culturas pasadas, y el modo en que estas culturas son representadas en el presente. Aunque la influencia de la voz de las Naciones Indígenas ha crecido en esta disciplina, en muchos modos sus voces están tan ahogadas ahora como lo estaban en los años sesenta. Esta ponencia presenta el punto de vista del indígena americano en la práctica actual de arqueología en Norteamérica y ofrece sugerencias para mejorar las relaciones.

Type
Special Section: Mapping the Terrain of Americanist Archaeology
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 68 , Issue 2 , April 2003 , pp. 273 - 285
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 2003

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

References Cited

Anderson, David G., and Christopher, Gillam 2000 Paleoindian Colonization of the Americas: Implications from an Examination of Physiography, Demography, and Artifact Distribution. American Antiquity 65:43–66.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Anyon, Roger 1991 Protecting the Past, Protecting the Present: Cultural Resources and American Indians. In Protecting the Past, edited by Smith, G. S. and Ehrenhard, J. E., pp. 215–222. CRC, Boca Raton, Florida.Google Scholar
Anyon, Roger, and Ferguson, T. J. 1995 Cultural Resources Management at the Pueblo of Zuni. Antiquity 69:919–930.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Anyon, Roger, T. J. Ferguson, Loretta, Jackson, Lillie, Lane, and Phillip, Vicente 1997 Native American Oral Traditions and Archaeology: Issues of Structure, Relevance, and Respect. In Native Americans and Archaeologists: Stepping Stones to Common Ground , edited by Nina, Swidler, Kurt, E. Dongoske, Roger, Anyon, and Alan, S. Downer, pp. 77–87. AltaMira Press, Walnut Creek, California.Google Scholar
Anyon, Roger, T. J. Ferguson, and John, R. Welch 2000 Heritage Management by American Indian Tribes in the Southwestern United States. In Cultural Resource Management in Contemporary Society: Perspectives on Managing and Presenting the Past , edited by Francis, P. McManamon and Alf, Hatton, pp. 120–141. Routledge, London.Google Scholar
Associated Press and the Tri-City Herald Staff 2002 Scientists Win Kennewick Ruling. Tri-City Herald , Kennewick, Washington. Electronic document, http://www.kennewick-man.com/news/083102.html, accessed 12/05/02.Google Scholar
Babbitt, Bruce 2000 Letter from the Secretary of the Interior to the Secretary of the Army dated September 11. Electronic version at http://www.cr.nps.gov/aad/kennewick/babb_letter.htm, accessed 12/02/02.Google Scholar
Begay, Richard 1997 The Role of Archaeology on Indian Lands: The Navajo Nation. In Native Americans and Archaeologists: Stepping Stones to Common Ground , edited by Nina, Swidler, Kurt, E. Dongoske, Roger, Anyon, and Alan, S. Downer, pp. 161–166. AltaMira Press, Walnut Creek, California.Google Scholar
Carmichael, David L., Jane, Hubert, Brian, Reeves, and Audhild, Schanch (editors) 1994 Sacred Sites, Sacred Places. Routledge, London.Google Scholar
Champe, John L., Douglas, S. Byers, Clifford, Evans, Guthe, A.K., Henry, W. Hamilton, Edward, B. Jelks, Clement, W. Meighan, Sigfus, Olafson, George, S. Quimby, Watson, Smith, and Fred, Wendorf 1961 Four Statements for Archaeology. American Antiquity 27:137–138.Google Scholar
Cummings, Calvin R. 1988 A Matter of Ethics … SOPA Newsletter 12(2): 1–3.Google Scholar
Deloria, Vine, Jr. 1995 Red Earth, White Lies: Native Americans and the Myth of Scientific Fact. Scribner and Sons, New York.Google Scholar
Dongoske, Kurt E., Mark, Aldenderfer, and Karen, Doehner (editors) 2000 Working Together: Native Americans and Archaeologists. Society for American Archaeology, Washington, D.C. Google Scholar
Doyel, David E. 1982 Medicine Men, Ethnic Significance, and Cultural Resource Management. American Antiquity 47:634–642.Google Scholar
Downer, Alan 1997 Archaeologists-Native American Relations. In Native Americans and Archaeologists: Stepping Stones to Common Ground , edited by Nina, Swidler, Kurt, Dongoske, Roger, Anyon, and Alan, Downer, pp. 23–34. AltaMira Press, Walnut Creek, California.Google Scholar
Echo-Hawk, Roger 1993 Exploring Ancient Worlds. SAA Bulletin 11:5–6.Google Scholar
Ferguson, T. J. 1996 Native Americans and the Practice of Archaeology. Annual Review of Anthropology 25:63–79.Google Scholar
Ferguson, T. J. 2000 NHPA: Changing the Role of Native Americans in the Archaeological Study of the Past. In Working together: Native Americans and Archaeologists , edited by Kurt, E. Dongoske, Mark, Aldenderfer, and Karen, Doehner, pp. 25–36. Society for American Archaeology, Washington, D.C. Google Scholar
Friesen, T. Max 1998 Qikiqtaruk—Inuvialuit Archaeology on Herschel Island. University of Toronto, Toronto.Google Scholar
Gotthardt, Ruth, and Greg, Hare 1994 Lu Zil Man: Fish Lake. Yukon Heritage Branch, White-horse, Yukon Territory.Google Scholar
Hanks, Christopher C. 1997 Ancient Knowledge of Ancient Sites: Tracing Dene Identity from the Late Pleistocene and Holocene. In At a Crossroads: Archaeology and First Peoples in Canada , edited by George, P. Nicholas and Thomas, Andrews, pp. 178–189. Archaeology Press, Burnaby.Google Scholar
Hare, Greg, and Sheila, Greer 1994 Desdele Mene: The Archaeology of Annie Lake. Yukon Heritage Branch, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory.Google Scholar
Jelderks, John 2002 Opinion and Order, Civil No. 96-1481-JE, in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon. Electronic document, http://www.kennewick-man.com/documents/jelderks083002.pdf, accessed 12/05/02.Google Scholar
Kehoe, Alice 1998 The Land of Prehistory. Routledge, New York.Google Scholar
King, Thomas S. 1998 Cultural Resource Laws and Practice, an Introductory Guide. AltaMira Press, Walnut Creek, California.Google Scholar
King, Thomas S. 2000 Federal Planning and Historic Places, the Section 106 Process. AltaMira Press, Walnut Creek, California.Google Scholar
Kintigh, Keith W. 1996 SAA Principles of Archaeological Ethics. SAA Bulletin 14(3):5, 17.Google Scholar
Klesert, Anthony L. 1990 Contracting Federal Historic preservation Functions under the Indian Self-Determination Act. In Preservation on the Reservation: Native Americans, Native American Lands and Archeology , edited by Anthony, L. Klesert and Alan, S. Downer, pp. 113–121. Navajo Nation Papers in Anthropology Number 26. Navajo Nation Archeology Department and the Navajo Nation Historic Preservation Department. Window Rock, Arizona.Google Scholar
Knudson, Ruthann 1991 The Archaeological Public Trust in Context. In Protecting the Past , edited by George, S. Smith and John, Ehrenhard, pp. 3–8. CRC, Boca Raton, Florida.Google Scholar
Kritsch, Ingrid, and Alestine M., Andre 1997 Gwich’in Traditional Knowledge and Heritage Studies in the Gwich’in Settlement Area. In At a Crossroads: Archaeology and First Peoples in Canada , edited by George, P. Nicholas and Thomas, Andrews, pp. 125–144. Archaeology Press, Burnaby.Google Scholar
Berlinski, David 1989a Who Needs the Past? Indigenous Values and Archaeology. Routledge, London.Google Scholar
Berlinski, David 1989b Conflict in the Archaeology of Living Traditions. Routledge, London.Google Scholar
Lurie, Nancy Oestreich 1988 Relations between Indians and Anthropologists. In History of Indian-White Relations , edited by Washburn, W., pp. 548–556. Handbook of North American Indians, vol. 4, W. C. Sturtevant, general editor. Smithsonian, Washington, D.C. Google Scholar
Lynott, Mark J. 1997 Ethical Principles and Archaeological Practice: Development of an Ethics Policy. American Antiquity 62:589–599.Google Scholar
Lynott, Mark J., and Alison, Wylie (editors) 1995 Ethics in American Archaeology: Challenges for the 1990s. Society for American Archaeology, Washington. D.C.Google Scholar
McGimsey, Charles R., and Hester, Davis (editors) 1977 The Management of Archaeological Resources: the Airlie House Report. Society for American Archaeology, Washington, D.C. Google Scholar
Berlinski, David 1992a Archaeology and the First Americans. American Anthropologist 94:816–836.Google Scholar
Berlinski, David 1992b A Marxist Archaeology. Academic Press, San Diego.Google Scholar
McGuire, Randall 1997 Why Have Archaeologists Thought Real Indians Were Dead and What Can We Do about It? In Indians and Anthropologists: Vine Deloria, Jr., and the Critique of Anthropology , edited by Thomas, Biolsi and Larry, J. Zimmerman, pp. 63–91. University of Arizona, Tucson.Google Scholar
McManamon, Francis P. 2000 Memorandum dated January 11, 2000. Electronic document, http://www.cr.nps.govaad.kennewick/c14memo.htm. accessed 12/12/02.Google Scholar
Martin, Rena 1997 How Traditional Navajos View Historic Preservation: A Question of Interpretation. In Native Americans and Archaeologists: Stepping Stones to Common Ground , edited by Nina, Swidler, Kurt, E. Dongoske, Roger, Anyon, and Alan, S. Downer, pp. 128–134. AltaMira Press, Walnut Creek, California.Google Scholar
Mason, Ronald 2000 Archaeology and Native North American Oral Traditions. American Antiquity 65:239–266.Google Scholar
Meighan, Clement 1992 Some Scholars’ Views on Reburial. American Antiquity 57:704–710.Google Scholar
Meyer, Karl E. 1973 The Plundered Past. Atheneum, New York.Google Scholar
Mihesuah, Devon A 1996 American Indians, Anthropologists, Pothunters, and Repatriation: Ethical, Religious, and Political Differences. American Indian Quarterly 20:229–250.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mills, Barbara J., and Ferguson, T. J. 1998 Preservation and Research of Sacred Sites by the Zuni Indian Tribe of New Mexico. Human Organization 57:30–42.Google Scholar
Mulvaney, D. John 1991 Past Regained, Future Lost. The Kow Swamp Pleistocene Burials. Antiquity 65(246): 12–21.Google Scholar
Naranjo, Tessie 1995 Thoughts on Migration by Santa Clara Pueblo. Journal of Anthropological Research 14:247–250.Google Scholar
Nicholas, George P. 1997 Education and Empowerment: Archaeology With, For, and By the Shuswap Nation. In At a Crossroads: Archaeology and First Peoples in Canada , edited by George, P. Nicholas and Thomas, Andrews, pp. 85–104. Archaeology Press, Burnaby.Google Scholar
Nicholas, George P. 2000 Archaeology, Education, and the Secwapemc. In Working Together: Native Americans and Archaeologists , edited by Kurt, E. Dongoske, Mark, Aldenderfer, and Karen, Doehner, pp. 155–163. Society for American Archaeology, Washington, D.C. Google Scholar
Nicholas, George P., and Thomas D., Andrews (editors) 1997 At a Crossroads: Archaeology and First Peoples in Canada. Archaeology Press, Burnaby.Google Scholar
Nicholson, Bev, David, Pokotylo, and Ron, Williamson 1996 Statement of Principles for Ethical Conduct Pertaining to Aboriginal Peoples: A Report from the Aboriginal Heritage Committee. Canadian Archaeological Association and Department of Communications, Ottawa.Google Scholar
Rappaport, Joanne 1989 Geography and Historical Understanding in Indigenous Columbia. In Who Needs the Past? Indigenous Values and Archaeology , edited by Robert, Layton, pp. 84–94. Unwin Hyman, London.Google Scholar
Rose, Jerome C. Thomas Green, J., and Victoria, D. Green 1996 NAGPRA is Forever: Osteology and the Repatriation of Skeletons. Annual Review of Anthropology 25:81–103.Google Scholar
Rosen, Lawrence 1980 The Excavation of American Indian Burial Sites: A Problem in Law and Professional Responsibility. American Anthropologist 82:5–27.Google Scholar
Spector, Janet D. 2000 Collaboration at Inyan Ceyaka Atonwan (Village at the Rapids). In Working Together: Native Americans and Archaeologists , edited by Kurt, E. Dongoske, Mark, Aldenderfer, and Karen, Doehner, pp. 133–138. Society for American Archaeology, Washington, D.C. Google Scholar
Stone, Peter G., and Brian L., Molyneau (editors) 1994 The Presented Past: Heritage, Museums, and Education. Routledge, London.Google Scholar
Swidler, Nina, Kurt, E. Dongoske, Roger, Anyon, and Alan, S. Downer (editors) 1997 Native Americans and Archaeologists: Stepping Stones to Common Ground. AltaMira Press, Walnut Creek, California.Google Scholar
Syms, E. Leigh 1997 Increasing Awareness and Involvement of Aboriginal People in their Heritage Preservation: Recent Developments at the Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature. In At a Crossroads: Archaeology and First Peoples in Canada , edited by George, P. Nicholas and Thomas, Andrews, pp. 53–68. Archaeology Press, Burnaby.Google Scholar
Thomas, David Hurst 2000 Skull Wars: Kennewick Man, Archaeology, and the Battle for Native American Identity. Basic Books, New York.Google Scholar
Toumey, Christopher P. 1996 Conjuring Science: Scientific Symbols and Cultural Meanings in American Life. Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey.Google Scholar
Trigger, Bruce G. 1980 Archaeology and the Image of the American Indian. American Antiquity 45:662–676.Google Scholar
Trigger, Bruce G. 1986 Prehistoric Archaeology and American Society: An Historical Perspective. In American Archaeology, Past And Future , edited by David, J. Meltzer, Don, D. Fowler, and Jeremy, A. Sabloff, pp. 187–215. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. Google Scholar
Trigger, Bruce G. 1989 A History-of Archaeological Thought. Cambridge University, Cambridge.Google Scholar
TwoBears, Davina 2000 A Navajo Student's Perception: Anthropology and the Navajo Nation Archaeology Department Student Training Program. In Working Together: Native Americans and Archaeologists , edited by Kurt, E. Dongoske, Mark, Aldenderfer, and Karen, Doehner, pp. 15–22. Society for American Archaeology, Washington, D.C. Google Scholar
Watkins, Joe 2000 Indigenous Archaeology: American Indian Values and Scientific Practice. AltaMira Press, Walnut Creek, California.Google Scholar
Watkins, Joe, Lynne, Goldstein, Karen, Vitelli, and Leigh, Jenkins 1995 Accountability: Responsibilities of Archaeologists to Other Interest Groups. In Ethics in American Archaeology: Challenges for the 1990s , edited by Mark, J. Lynott and Alison, Wylie, pp. 33–37. Society for American Archaeology, Washington, D.C. Google Scholar
Whiteley, Peter M. 2002 Archaeology and Oral Tradition: The Scientific Importance of Dialogue. American Antiquity 67:405–415.Google Scholar
Wobst, H. Martin 2001 Matter over Mind: Perishables and the Glorification of Materiality in Archaeology. In Fleeting Identities: Perishable Material Culture in Archaeological Research , edited by Penelope, B. Drooker, pp. 43–57. Center for Archaeological Investigations, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois.Google Scholar
Zimmerman, Larry J. 1994 Sharing Control of the Past. Archaeology Magazine 6:65–68.Google Scholar
Zimmerman, Larry J. 1995 Regaining our Nerve: Ethics, Values, and the Transformation of Archaeology. In Ethics in American Archaeology: Challenges for the 1990s , edited by Mark, J. Lynott and Alison, Wylie, pp. 64–67. Society for American Archaeology, Washington, D.C. Google Scholar
Zimmerman, Larry J. 2001 Usurping Native American Voice. In The Future of the Past: Archaeologists, Native Americans and Repatriation , edited by Tamara, L. Bray, pp. 169–184. Garland Publishing, New York.Google Scholar
Zimmerman, Larry J., and Leonard R., Bruguier 1994 Indigenous Peoples and the World Archaeological Congress Code of Ethics. Public Archaeology Review 2(1):5–8.Google Scholar
Zimmerman, Larry J., and Roger, Echo-Hawk Ancient History of the Pawnee Nation: A Summary of Archaeological and Traditional Evidence for Pawnee Ancestry in the Great Plains. Manuscript on file, Native American Rights Fund, Boulder, Colorado, and Tribal Office of the Pawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, Pawnee, Oklahoma.Google Scholar