Native museum professionals have been calling for improved collaboration between institutions and Native communities for decades. But museums have historically been places that are separate from the Native communities they represent in their collections and exhibitions. By the end of the 20th century, museums were beginning to involve Native communities in consultation—either as required by NAGPRA, sometimes in exhibition content, and occasionally in Indigenous collections care. Today there has been progress, but institutions still need guidelines and examples. At the cusp of the America 250th commemoration, Native museums are grappling with if and how to participate. Participating institutions will also need to grapple with how to address the Native story that inevitably resides within the story they want to tell.

This presentation will address implementing methodologies to respectfully collaborate with Native communities that are not only best historical practice in 2023, but are being demanded by Native communities.

• Sources: To conduct historical research that does not include Native cultural context silences the Native voice, when mainstream archival documents are not often from a Native perspective. Examine how to identify sources that can add a Native lens that have historically not been used in mainstream non-Native histories, such as oral histories (sometimes referred to as storytelling), interviews with tribal members, language examination, and a critical reading of ethnologies. Also important is a clear understanding of how and why the mainstream non-Native sources were documented and by who.
• Metadata: Often non experts created object records for objects and archival documents that not only erase cultural context, but make access for tribal communities difficult. Examine how to collaborate with Native communities to correct and improve records.
• Access: Objects and archival documents were often removed from Native communities in an attempt to document a “dying race.” Understand that the objects and archives in your collections were likely obtained unethically. Examine how to address issues of access amid concerns of ownership and precedence.