Hope-based narratives of ethical discourse and accountability in archaeology The 2024 Society for American Archaeology (SAA) in New Orleans held a forum titled Is Anyone Listening?: Ethical Accountability in the SAA , coordinated by the organization’s mandated Task Force on Decolonization. Rebecca Renteria, Crow Canyon American Indian Initiatives Outreach Coordinator, sits on the Task Force and helped coordinate the forum, lending perspectives on ethics informed by Crow Canyon’s values and mission. This year’s forum centered on solutions towards accountability in the archaeology discipline. Here, accountability encompasses ethical movements towards justice and reconciliation, providing both paths for healing and physical spaces that reflect the rich histories of marginalized communities. Rebecca also worked alongside Task Force members to co- author a 2024 report to the SAA Board of Directors that served to create actionable solutions that address justice and reconciliation in the organization as a whole. Transparency, meaningful and sincere updates to diversity statements and land acknowledgements, and fostering inviting and inclusive spaces for a more representative discipline were a few of the points addressed. Though the Task Force retired in 2024, Rebecca will continue to engage in these conversations as a member of the SAA’s Committee on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice.
Much happens behind the scenes of Crow Canyon’s Research Institute. Led by Crow Canyon EVP, Dr. Susan C. Ryan, the Institute community is comprised of Crow Canyon research staff, research volunteers, and external research associates. In her monthly blog posts, Dr. Ryan shares fascinating discoveries and significant projects, while connecting the past to the present. Here are links to her latest posts: Remembrance and Commemoration in the Past and Present The A.D. 1130–1180 Megadrought in the Northern Southwest The Haves and Have Nots of Obsidian Better Together – The Story of Humans and Dogs A Remarkable Recovery: Cotton Pollen Identified from the Haynie Site Posts are announced on social media and posted on our website at CrowCanyon.org/news. Don’t miss the Research Institute blog
“Relevancy to the discipline— actually to humanity—means those of us underrepresented in our discipline have such a transformative and pivotal role in this work. Rather than seeing ourselves as vulnerable people and communities, we actually know what it takes to sustain our peoples and histories because we’re still here to tell our stories—and that is one of the most hopeful perspectives that keeps me doing this work,” says Rebecca.
CROW CANYON ARCHAEOLOGICAL CENTER
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