Description

Acknowledging the long history of unequal relationships between museums and Indigenous communities, the Anchorage Museum (AM) prioritizes collaborative projects that foreground equitable and ethical practice in the service of community priorities. The proposed project will support the Indigenous-led efforts to safeguard, conserve, and house rare cultural objects associated with the Nunalleq archaeological site (1450 to 1650 AD), recently designated one of National Geographic’s 100 archaeological wonders of the world and increasingly at risk owing to climate change. Advancing work begun by Quinhagak Heritage Inc. and Aberdeen University, the project team will help to rescue objects and train community members in conservation, and display techniques for the 100,000 cultural objects now in the Nunalleq Culture and Archaeology Center. AM will do similar work in Chitina/Copper Center, Eagle Village, and sites on the Seward Peninsula. To further this Indigenous-led work, AM will connect community leaders, artists, archaeologists, conservators and climate-solution organizations through sponsored travel and gatherings, and a convening, exhibition and programs at AM.