Perspectives on tribal archives
| Date | 01 October 2003 |
| Published date | 01 October 2003 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/02640470310499786 |
| Pages | 422-427 |
| Author | Loriene Roy,Daniel L. Alonzo |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
Perspectives on tribal
archives
Loriene Roy and
Daniel L. Alonzo
Introduction
As John Fleckner recounts in his book on
tribal archives, an archive has two meanings.
A tribal archive is both the records created by
a tribe that are retained permanently for their
enduring historical value and the physical
repository that houses these materials
(Fleckner, 1984). In this article we will
provide an overview of the essentials of tribal
archives and their special concerns as well as
highlights of some specific archival
collections.
The functions and content of tribal
archives
Tribal communities are demonstrating great
interest in establishing and expanding archival
collections and services. This is evidenced by
the pervasive presence of tribal archival
collections, and the growing number of new
tribal collections, and of new initiatives in
training and collaboration. Over a third (36)
of the 97 libraries listed in the 1994 Directory
of Native American Tribal Libraries reported
housing an archives collection (Patterson and
Taylor, 1995).
Establishing an archives of the records for a
tribal government is an important step in
preserving the culture of the tribe. Tribal
government records are used to support and
document their status as sovereign nations. A
proper and thorough records management
program is instrumental if the tribal
government is to retain its most valuable
records that may both protect and serve the
tribe in the event of legal action. For example,
the Native American Graves Protection and
Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) provides for the
return or repatriation of certain sacred items
from federal agencies and selected local or
state institutions that receive federal funding
(Native American Graves Protection and
Repatriation Act, 1990). In order to repatriate
objects, tribes must have documentary proof
of what is theirs. Once a tribe recovers an
artifact, naturally, the paper work involved
would also be retained in the tribe's archives.
Repatriation is only a part of legal matters that
may face tribes. For other matters such as
land and water rights, disputes in the local
industry or economy, tribal government
records may tell only part of the story.
The authors
Loriene Roy is a Professor and Daniel L. Alonzo is a
Teaching Assistant, both at the School of Information,
University of Texas, Austin, Texas, USA.
Keywords
Archives, Training, Collections management,
Native Americans
Abstract
Tribal archives are an essential resource for documenting
cultural history. This article explores the essential archival
functions of a tribal repository and addresses special
concerns tribal archivists may face in managing these
unique institutions. Tribal archives are growing in number,
sparking new initiatives for training and collaboration
among those tribes that house archives. As more and
more documentation becomes available in electronic
form, more repositories feel the pressure to contribute
material. Electronic media and the Internet pose a number
of concerns and possibilities for tribal archives and tribes
as a whole. Funding is perhaps the most important factor
in supporting digitization projects. There are a number of
ways that archives, libraries and museums of tribes can
obtain financial support. Funding agencies such as the
Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the
National Park Service, and the National Historical
Publications and Records Commission all administer both
competitive and non-competitive grants in support of
museums, libraries and archives.
Electronic access
The Emerald Research Register for this journal is
available at
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/researchregister
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is
available at
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/0264-0473.htm
422
The Electronic Library
Volume 21 .Number 5 .2003 .pp. 422-427
#MCB UP Limited .ISSN 0264-0473
DOI 10.1108/02640470310499786
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