Collections
This page will have some analysis of the history of museums collections, and describe some of the work that is being done to rethink what a museum collection is. It may include some collaborative research I have worked on regarding collections and preservation. This page will be evolving as this research continues.
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Searching Collections
In the United States, a law called the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act said that all museums that have collections that originate in Indigenous communities must make their collection contents available to communities so they can check for ownership challenges and potential thefts. In Canada, there is no such law. It is generally considered a good practice to keep your collection available online so that researchers and other interested people can see what a museum has. There are barriers to this though, museums are chronically underfunded, and many of they may choose to prioritize artifact care and other functions over database maintenance.
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In searching for artifacts of Îethka origins, I found that Alberta museums were the most difficult (across Canada) to access collections online. Both Glenbow and the Royal Alberta Museum direct seekers to contact curators instead of hosting online databases. The Whyte Museum, which prioritizes Indigenous access to archival collections, doesn't have a searchable database of their collections available to the public either.
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Besides capacity issues, museums may not be well motivated to share their collections online. The more people who see collections and understand their scope and breadth, the more people who will be able to identify artifacts that have made their way to museums wrongfully or illegally. Online databases of collections can be very costly to set up and maintain and they don't generate revenue for the museum in the way that exhibits and other functions like programs do. Photography of artifacts is something that must be done with care in order to avoid any potential damage from light or movement; thus it is quite expensive. Museums may also be apprehensive about taking photographs of cultural items, as many curators understand that there are rules that may apply to those artifacts without knowing how to properly respect or implement them.
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When I look for Îethka artifacts, I usually do at least three searches: I look for Nakoda, Stoney, and Assiniboine. When listings come up, I have a look at their details and descriptions to help me understand if the item may be of Îethka origins. Sometimes it also helps to search words like Morley, or a selection of surnames. Searching museum databases takes patience and can be frustrating. I imagine the experience could be quite painful to Îethka people as well, especially because of the feelings of loss that may arise, anger at the museum, and frustration over poor or insulting descriptions. On the other hand, finding things in museums can feel exciting, and in my expereince Îethka people laugh when museums get basic information about their culture wrong.
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