Disputed Archival Heritage: Repatriation Claims and Shared Heritage
Presented During:
08/25/2022: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Conference:
ARCHIVES*RECORDS 2022
Session Type:
Traditional Session
Session Chair:
James Lowry
Queens College, The City University of New York
Co-Presenter(s):
Proposal Abstract:
Our proposal aligns with the "operationalizing big picture ideas" theme of the conference by interrogating the problematic concept of "shared" or "joint" heritage, which has been used to elide the legitimate complaints and claims of peoples stripped of their archival heritage. We seek to re-center dispute by presenting the claims from formerly invaded, colonized and centralized countries and regions by presenting a sample of claims from US Indigenous communities, Zimbabwe, Iraq and Madeira. What is at stake in disputed archival heritage is not merely cultural property or access to information, but justice, reparation, rights, sovereignty and healing. The value of this session to participants is the international perspective it offers on issues that have important implications for collections and communities in the US, issues such as archival sovereignty and historical justice, which can be obscured through descriptive practices, negated by custodial claims and under-recognized by archivists, our professional associations, professional literature and education programs.
Session Abstract:
The problematic concept of "shared" or "joint" heritage has been presented as a solution to long-standing cases of archival displacement. In contrast to notions of sharedness, this session seeks to re-center dispute in archival discourse, presenting the claims from formerly invaded, colonized and centralized countries and regions. What is at stake in disputed archival heritage is not merely cultural property or access to information, but justice, reparation, rights, sovereignty and healing.
Educational Objectives:
The goal of this session is to raise awareness within the American archival profession about the current state of displaced archives internationally, with a discussion of the technical concepts and their various applications across different contexts (such as conflict, decolonization, devolution, etc.). Participants will gain knowledge of recent work on notions of provenance and "shared" or "joint" heritage by looking at three particular cases.
Target Audience:
This is a general awareness raising session, which will introduce the audience to current issues in the area of displaced archives and repatriation. It will be suitable for everyone from students to retired colleagues.
OPTIONAL: Please indicate how your proposed session provides a diverse, equitable, and inclusive roster of presenters
The panel includes presenters representing multiple types of institutions (e.g., academic, corporate, government, religious etc.).
The panel includes presenters representing multiple geographic regions (e.g., Northeast, Midwest, South, etc.)
The panel includes presenters representing multiple career points (e.g., mid-career, student, retired, paraprofessional, temporary, etc.)
The panel includes presenters representing multiple gender identities.
The panel includes presenters representing multiple sexual orientations.
The panel includes presenters representing multiple racial/ethnic identities or nationalities.
The panel includes presenters representing multiple religious backgrounds.
Please indicate the intended length of your session. Note that all sessions should plan for 15 minutes of Q&A.
60 minutes
Please select all that apply.
We prefer to present hybrid (Held in person at the conference hotel; simultaneously cast to virtual attendees on platform. Speakers may present in person or online.)
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