Atalay - Community-based archaeology research with, by, and for indigenous and local communities

COMMUNITY-BASED ARCHAEOLOGY

Sonya Atalay COMMUNITY-BASED ARCHAEOLOGY

Research with, by, and for Indigenous and Local Communities

University of California Press

Berkeley Los Angeles London

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University of California Press
Berkeley and Los Angeles, California

University of California Press, Ltd.
London, England

2012 by The Regents of the University of California

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Atalay, Sonya, 1968

Community-based archaeology : research with, by, and for indigenous and local communities /Sonya Atalay.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-0-520-27335-1 (cloth : alk. paper)

ISBN 978-0-520-27336-8 (pbk. : alk. paper)

1. Community archaeologyUnited States.

2. ArchaeologySocial aspectsUnited States.

3. Indians of North AmericaAntiquities Conservation and restoration. 4. Cultural property ProtectionUnited States. I. Title.

CC77.C66A83 2012

930.1dc23

2012007437

Manufactured in the United States of America

21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of ansi/niso z39.48-1992 (r 2002) (Permanence of Paper).

In keeping with a commitment to support environmentally responsible and sustainable printing practices, UC Press has printed this book on Rolland Enviro100, a 100% post-consumer fiber paper that is FSC certified, deinked, processed chlorine-free, and manufactured with renewable biogas energy. It is acid-free and EcoLogo certified.

ni kani gana to all my relations
Looking to the future, and the world
of my sons great-grandsons. With
hopes that they will consider this the
work of a good ancestor.

Hundreds of years before European contact, my Ojibwe ancestors were told of future events by their spiritual leaders who warned of unimaginable changes that would take place with the coming of a light-skinned people. These prophecies described the struggles that Anishinabe people would face to keep our culture and ourselves alive. They foretold that our way of life would be nearly lost but would eventually be regained. Elders today explain that this was a prediction of both European colonization and the Native American cultural resurgence that started in the 1970s. As you will find in reading this book, community-based participatory research (CBPR) has a fundamental role to play in this resurgence.

As both an Anishinabe woman and an archaeologist, I set out to understand how archaeology might benefit from engaging CBPR. I started this research inspired by another central prophecy and teaching from Ojibwe oral history as related by Eddie Benton-Banai (1979), Grand Chief of the Three Fires Midewiwin Society: The teaching tells of a time when the Anishinabek, along with others globally, will face a choice between two paths. One path is made of scorched grass, signifying short-term success but eventual destruction. The other path is a lush trail that leads to a future of lasting peace. The teaching states that the second path is one of compassion. Choosing this path involves finding ways to combine our Indigenous systems of knowledge and traditional ways of understanding with those of Western science. Joining these forms of knowledge can increase our strength as a society. Our spiritual leaders tell us we have reached the time to choose paths. The challenge for our generation is to work cooperativelyto use the diverse knowledge of all to build strength on the path to mutual success and peace.

This teaching has inspired my research on community-based participatory archaeology. I embarked on this investigation to explore archaeological research practices that allow for the braiding knowledge called for in my ancestors teachings. I hoped to find a research methodology that enabled people with archaeological science and community knowledge to work together and complement one another, using practices that are sustainable long-term. I hoped the process could also benefit communities in their efforts to regain and strengthen their connections to their cultural heritage.

What I found was community-based participatory researcha research methodology that braids together knowledge systems in the very ways that Ojibwe teachings call for. This book outlines the principles and benefits of CBPR and details how community-based archaeologydone with, by, and for communitiesis the framework for archaeologys future.

The Anishinabek are the indigenous people from what is now the midwestern region of the United States and Canada. The Anishinabe peoples include Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi communities who share a cultural identity and are related through kinship and language.

This book exists because of the kind generosity, support, help, and wisdom of so many. I wrote the words (and take responsibility for any errors or shortcomings), but the work belongs to the individuals, families, and communities who partnered with me. I am so grateful for what youve taught me and what weve learned together. Miigwetchall that you give I hold in the highest regard.

Ill begin by thanking the communities, governments, families, and individuals who worked on and supported the five CBPR projects presented in this book. Miigwetch to the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan, the Tribal Council, and the Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture & Lifeways. Ziibiwings board of directors has always supported our collaborative endeavors, and the incredibly committed and talented staff made the magic happen. Bonnie Ekdahl had the initial vision for our work together, William Johnson gave such attention to detail with an unending concern for the ancestors, and Judy Pamp provided helpful guidance. Dorothea Botimer organized my travel and ensured all the loose ends (large and small) were resolved. Jennifer Jones assisted with images, Charla Burtons grant writing expertise was invaluable, and Anita Heard and Robin Spencers research assistance and organization of site visits during the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) project was instrumental. Your Ziibiwing team is a model of excellence.

Miigwetch to Charmaine Benz, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Council member, for her commitment to the ancestors, her support of our research, and her example of encouraging her grandchildren to live and honor their culture. (Baby) Dave Merrill Jr. has been a role model for my sons. I also want to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of Dr. Beverley Smith, Frank Raslich, Nicole Raslich, and Ruby MeShaboose for their work in the field at the Flint Stone Street Ancestral Recovery Project.

I want to acknowledge and thank the elders and leadership of the Three Fires Midewiwin Society. Grand Chief Bawdwaywidun (Eddie Benton-Benaise) and Eastern Doorway Chief Onaubinisay (Jim Dumont) shared spiritual teachings and provided assistance and guidance during repatriation research and ezhibiighadek asin/Sanilac petroglyph project. Odawa (George Martin), Three Fires Ogichidaw Chief, Ogimaa kwe (Sydney Martin), and Grandmothers Council and Midewanikwe shared knowledge and guidance during all Ziibiwing partnerships. The Shananaquets provided love, support, and much-needed humor, always in the right balance. All of you live the 7 Grandfather Teachings in your work every day. You each continue to teach and inspire me.