Council Exemplary Service Award: lndigenizing Archival Training team

WHEREAS the Indigenizing Archival Training (IAT) team addressed both the Society of American Archivists’s Strategic and DEIA Plans response to the Protocols for Native American Archival Materials (PNAAM), adopted by SAA in 2018, for “the need to expand the nature of the information professions to include Native American perspectives and knowledge” with an innovative, collaborative, and extremely successful program by providing archival training for Indigenous community-based archivists; and   

WHEREAS recognizing many in this community lack formal MLIS or other archival training, and without resources to take part in much of the online training and such training are based in Western archival practices and theory that do not reflect Indigenous communities’ values, this program sought to address these issues; and   

WHEREAS by securing a Mellon Foundation grant to pilot archival training that centered Indigenous needs and perspectives, the curriculum addressed these needs by creating an iterative, community-based certificate program. Developing a curriculum which the participants unanimously agreed is culturally suitable for their positions, the extremely successful pilot establishes a network for continued professional interaction; and   

WHEREAS the program impacts SAA with 93 percent of participants having no previous involvement, and 86 percent are now interested in remaining involved. The early and continued collaboration with ATALM was integral and exemplifies the notable and synergic results of professional organization collaboration; and  

WHEREAS the team’s efforts to continue the program by applying for another Mellon grant provides SAA’s ability to broaden its partnerships, improve its advocacy endeavors, and increase funding opportunities to help support organizational sustainability reflect an exemplary effort.    

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Indigenizing Archival Training team be honored with a 2024 SAA Council Exemplary Service Award for their innovated and collaborative program responding to the need of providing archival training for indigenous community-based archivists.

Presented August 17, 2024