BEING AND BECOMING INDIGENOUS ARCHAEOLOGISTS [Paperback]

What does being an archaeologist mean to Indigenous persons? How and why do some become archaeologists? What has led them down a path to what some in their communities have labeled a colonialist venture? What were are the challenges they have faced, and the motivations that have allowed them to succeed? How have they managed to balance traditional values and worldview with Western modes of inquiry? And how are their contributions broadening the scope of archaeology? Indigenous archaeologists have the often awkward role of trying to serves as spokespeople both for their home community and for the scientific community of archaeologists. This volume tells the stories—in their own words-- of 37 indigenous archaeologists from six continents, how they became archaeologists, and how their dual role affects their relationships with their community and their professional colleagues. Sponsored by the World Archaeological Congress

This volume tells the stories—in their own words-- of 37 indigenous archaeologists from six continents, how they became archaeologists, and how their dual role affects their relationships with their community and their professional colleagues.

George Nicholas is a professor of archaeology at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia. He was the founding director of Simon Fraser University's Indigenous Archaeology Program in Kamloops (1991–2005). He has worked closely with the Secwepemc and other First Nations and has directed a community-based, community supported archaeology program on the Kamloops Indian Reserve for fifteen years. He co-directs a group of 50 international scholars and 25 partner organizations in the International Property Issues in Cultural Heritage Project, funded by the Canadian Social Science and Humanities Research Council. Nicholas served as editor of the Canadian Journal of Archaeology, co-editor of the World Archaeological Congress Research Handbooks in Archaeology seriesl#3