In a previous post, I outlined the basics of repatriation and legislation under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) Act. In honor of the 20th anniversary of NAGPRA, George Washington University held a symposium in mid-November. Those two days were an illuminating experience, revealing the deep hurt difficult conflicts that are an inevitable part of the repatriation process. Scientists, curators, and Native Americans spoke of their divergent experiences and perspectives. It was a very moving experience - an chance to see human faces rather than the simply sherds and bones and dirt of archaeology.
The difficult: The sorrow of Native people whose continued efforts have been unsuccessful. The hurt that has a place, even in successful repatriations. The yet unresolved disagreements between scientists and Native people. The inspiring: Beginning and ending each day with prayer. Inspiring stories. Academics and curators with the courage to admit wrong practices. The opportunity to learn from the experience of so many others.
I continue to be glad that I decided to take time off before grad school. I am learning so much from these unique opportunities, things I most certainly would have missed had I decided to push on through. As I anticipate returning to the hotbed of academic theory and thought, I do not want to forget the human faces - the the human experience that unites us all, regardless of time period, culture, or language.
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| National Museum of the American Indian |
