Re-conceptualizing Oral Culture Collections and Archival Practices

Western ethnographers, archaeologists, and researchers have collected information on indigenous cultures for centuries, but often without the input or permission of those cultures. This creates a situation in which indigenous peoples are essentially colonized anew. Recent trends in academia, including archival studies, have sought to decolonize research. This article explores past and present methods of the collection and preservation of oral histories from indigenous persons in both the United States and Australia in order to seek the best practice(s) for such endeavors. The author argues that indigenous groups need to be consulted when collecting stories and considering access to potentially sensitive materials. Such partnerships are essential if archivists are to build trust with indigenous communities, continue to house important artifacts and records from those communities, and decolonize their processes