Working as Indigenous Archaeologists

Working as Indigenous Archaeologists explores the often-contentious relationship between Indigenous and other formerly colonized peoples and Archaeology through their own voices.

Over the past 35-plus years, the once-novel field of Indigenous Archaeology has become a relatively familiar part of the archaeological landscape. It has been celebrated, criticized, and analyzed as to its practical and theoretical applications, and its political nature. No less important are the life stories of its Indigenous practitioners. What has brought some of them to become practicing archaeologists or heritage managers? What challenges have they faced from both inside and outside their communities? And why haven’t more pursued Archaeology as a vocation or avocation? This volume is a collection of 60 autobiographical chapters by Indigenous archaeologists and heritage specialists from around the world—some community based, some academic, some in other realms—who are working to connect past and present in meaningful, and especially personal ways. As Archaeology continues to evolve, there remain strong tensions between an objective, science-oriented, evidentiary-based approach to knowing the past and a more subjective, relational, humanistic approach informed by local values, traditional knowledge, and holistic perspective. While there are no maps for these new territories, hearing directly from those Indigenous individuals who have pursued Archaeology reveals the pathways taken. Those stories will provide inspiration and confidence for those curious about what lies ahead.

This is an important volume for anyone interested in the present state and future of the archaeological discipline.

"Nearly three decades ago, archaeologist Bruce Trigger observed that “archaeology will not be a decolonized discipline until there are a substantial number of fully qualified and practicing Native archaeologists.” Whatever a “substantial” number might be, archaeology is not yet there, but the number of Indigenous archaeologists is rapidly trending upward. The 56 archaeologists featured in Working as Indigenous Archaeologists can be added to the 36 featured in the 2010 volume Being and Becoming Indigenous Archaeologists. Their goals, challenges, and accomplishments in telling their peoples’ stories show what a decolonized archaeology will look like and what a far more inclusive and valuable discipline it can become."

~ Larry J. Zimmerman, PhD, Professor emeritus of Anthropology & Museum Studies, Indiana University Indianapolis.

"This is a splendid book. It opens the door to many paths not yet taken by archaeologists and offers a glimpse of a new era of understanding. It introduces a brighter future for archaeology than I could ever have imagined. This book is my favorite book."

~ K. Anne Pyburn, Provost's Professor of Anthropology, Indiana University, USA.

George Nicholas is Distinguished Professor of Archaeology at Simon Fraser University, Canada, and holds adjunct faculty positions at Hokkaido University and Flinders University. An anthropologically oriented archaeologist, he has worked with and for Indigenous groups worldwide for over 35 years. He was founding director of SFU’s Indigenous Archaeology program in Kamloops, BC (1991–2005), and director of the Intellectual Property Issues in Cultural Heritage (IPinCH) project (2008–2016). His work focuses on research ethics, intellectual property, intangible heritage, archaeological theory, and Indigenous Archaeology. Previous publications include At a Crossroads: Archaeology and First Peoples in Canada (1997) and Being and Becoming Indigenous Archaeologists (2010).

Joe Watkins is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and has been involved in archaeology, anthropology and heritage preservation initiatives for more than 50 years. His book Indigenous Archaeology: American Indian Values and Scientific Practice (2000) is considered a foundational work in establishing Indigenous Archaeology as an internationally acknowledged area of Archaeology. He has published numerous articles and book chapters on the ethical practice of anthropology and anthropology’s relationships with descendant communities and populations, including American Indians, Australian Aboriginals, New Zealand Māori, and the Japanese Ainu. He was President of the Society for American Archaeology from 2018 to 2021.

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