Field Museum
Project: Decolonization Initiative.
The Live Oak team will conduct a multi-phase intervention that will provide support for Native cultural knowledge and alternative perspectives to thrive in a museum setting. The first phase will focus on the Native American Exhibit Reinstallation team-Collections, Conservation, and Exhibitions staff, aiming to reduce tensions and develop trust as they navigate cultural differences in their approaches to care and exhibition of Native materials. Activities such as surveys, group listening sessions, and one-on-one interviews resulting in an internal evaluative and recommendation report.
Humboldt Area Foundation.
Project: Decolonization of policies and procedures.
Rewild Portland
Project: Indigenizing the Rewilding Movement
Completion Date: April 2019
Background and Description:
There is a current movement in academia and public policy to recognize indigenous peoples and invite them into conversations about land use, “resources,” and conservation. Even more encouraging are efforts by national and international science organizations to include indigenous peoples in discussions around adaptation to climate change. Because of the cultural and philosophical differences, however, these conversations often fail or become one-sided. Deana and Nancy’s work recognizes the pitfalls inherent in unequal and historically traumatic relationships between the descendants of a settler population and indigenous peoples.
San Diego Museum of Man- San Diego, CA
Project: Cultural Awareness and Decolonizing the Museum Training
Completion date: March 2019
Background and Description:
Museums with collections that represent diverse communities are increasingly faced with issues of cultural sensitivity and a need for direction to both fill the void of information relating to these collections as well as connecting those collections with descendent communities in a meaningful way. Consultation with origin communities is a complex and daunting task, and even when willing, oftentimes museums are intimidated by the process of initiating and facilitating these conversations. This three-part training is intended to educate museum staff and volunteers across departments to alleviate fears and misconceptions surrounding cultural collections, provide a venue for discussing the legal and ethical responsibilities of caring for and interpreting such collections and assisting museum staff in making contact with origin communities. In addition to on-site visits, Live Oak will provide support and ongoing guidance through the process of collaborating with Native American community representatives for the purpose of engaging museum collections in a meaningful dialogue with visitors and for the development of true partnerships with Native collaborators.
Portland Japanese Garden
Project: Indians 101- Cultural Sensitivity and Awareness Training
Dates: November 2018
June 2018
