INDIGENOUS ARCHAEOLOGY
8 “Working together as equal part- ners has been key to establishing trust, along with recognizing and respecting the limits of social boundar- ies. Equal partnership is key for Tribal sovereignty, which is so important for Native people today. Inviting Native scholars to teach the public about contemporary Pueblo culture is another example of a respectful relationship. Crow Canyon provides this multivocal approach to education in their Cultural Explorations programs, College Field School, webinars, and camps.” —Joseph Suina, member of Crow Canyon’s Pueblo Advisory Group and former member of the Board of Trustees
10 “When teaching Indigenous kids, I talk about the importance of becoming an archaeologist. I tell our kids if we become archaeologists, we can write the past the way we want people to read about us and that it is really important to include our Native perspective.” —Rebecca Hammond, Crow Canyon Educator and American Indian Outreach Manager
Crow Canyon has been at the forefront of integrating Indigenous voices into archaeological interpretations, educational products, and experimental research for decades. “Almost from the beginning we identified working with American Indians as an important part of our mission. I think it’s changed the way we do archaeology. It’s changed the way we design our education curriculum. And all of that change has been for the better,” shared Ricky Lightfoot, former President and Board Chair. Our first Executive Director, Sandy Thompson*, believed that Crow Canyon had a moral responsibility to engage in dialogue with American Indians living in the Four Corners region, and particularly the Pueblo people, who were descendants of those whose settlements were being studied archaeologically. In 1995, Crow Canyon was among the first to establish a Native American Advisory Group (now the Pueblo Advisory Group). Founding members were Marie Reyna*, Jane Polingyouma, Rena Martin, Rebecca Hammond, Peter Pino*, and Ernest Vallo. “These were individuals from different tribal backgrounds who agreed to meet with us twice a year and give us their perspective on how to work in the field of archae - ology in a way that’s respectful for contemporary Indian people,” said Lightfoot. “The relationship has progressed to where we’re actively engaging them from the point of research design asking, ‘What are the issues that are in your society today that we might be able to address either through archaeology or education programs?’ It’s evolved into collaboration rather than just consultation.”
9 In 1995, Peter Pino*, Pueblo of Zia Governor, Tribal councilmember, war captain, and member of Crow Canyon’s Pueblo Advisory Group, became the first Native American to serve on Crow Canyon’s Board of Trustees, providing Indigenous repre - sentation, leadership, and guidance to the organization.
7 2023 ANNUAL REPORT
CROW CANYON ARCHAEOLOGICAL CENTER 8
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