Protocols for Native American Archival Materials

1. Accessibility and Use

1.1. Questions of access, ownership, and control of Native American archival material can prompt philosophical and practical concerns, particularly when there is inadequate information about community sovereignty and associated legal rights, community ownership of original source information, initial community restrictions on information sharing and distribution, and other related issues.

2. Providing Context

2.1. A primary task for libraries and archives is to organize and describe information resources for efficient and effective retrieval.

2.2. Collecting institutions also wish to share as much context as possible to enhance the value of resources for patrons.

2.3. The use of outdated, inaccurate, derogatory, or Eurocentric language impedes access.

2.4. Descriptive information can be improved with the addition of culturally appropriate and accurate language from original titles through finding aids.

3. Native American Intellectual Property Issues

3.1. Copyright only protects authors and publishers, not subject matter.

3.2. From a community standpoint, traditional knowledge should be protected forever.

3.3. Current laws fail to address issues on communal ownership and the distribution of culturally sensitive work.

3.4. Protocols call for exploring in expanding moral rights of materials

3.5. Digital technology is providing more concern.

4. Copying and Repatriation of Records to Native American Communities

4.1. Protocols states: Libraries and archives should respond cooperatively to requests for copies of records for community use and retention.

4.2. Recommend repatriation of original documents upon request from a Native American community in cases of theft, clear lack of evidence of ownership, or archival materials held in trust for communities.

5. Native American Research Protocols

5.1. Consult with Native American communities regarding research protocols and adhere to existing community research and cultural property protocols, as related to archival and documentary materials.

6. Reciprocal Education and Training

6.1. Acknowledge, respect, and learn from the valuable knowledge of tribal archivists and librarians and other tribal specialists and elders. Appreciate that individuals are recognized within a tribal society as caretakers and knowledge workers.

7. Building Relationships of Mutual Respect

7.1. Librarians and archivists should be aware that each tribe, band, and community is unique. Collecting institutions and Native communities are encouraged to build relationships to ensure the respectful care and use of archival materials

8. Striving for Balance in Content and Perspectives

8.1. Strive to develop institutional holdings that are comprehensive, inclusive, and reflect all key perspectives on Native American issues. Make an effort to collect resources created by rather than just about Native Americans

9. Culturally Sensitive Material

9.1. Definition of Culturally Sensitive: The process of conducting social work tasks in a manner that is respectful of and effective for people of all cultures, classes, races, ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations and faiths or religions (http://www.ocfcpacourts.us/library/glossary ).

9.2. Most archives and libraries hold information of a confidential, sensitive, or sacred nature. The amount of this material may constitute a small percentage of the entire collection.