Indigenous
Peoples Specialty Group Selected Sponsored sessions, |
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Kate A. Berry (University
of Nevada Reno) and Melissa A. Rinehart “Learning From The Miami Tribe” In 1998 we began a project
studying the 19th century forced removal of the Miami Tribe that resulted
in a chapter in a recently published book and an article manuscript
that has been accepted for publication. In this presentation, we will
draw upon our experiences in this project as independent researchers
who maintained close contacts with tribal members and leaders while
investigating and interpreting some of the events and places that shaped
the Miami Tribe's past and present. This will be used as an opportunity
to address broader issues about research in Indian Country, including
the challenges and opportunities of being independent researchers in
Indian Country, in other words, not working directly on a project prescribed
by tribal government or from the position of being tribal members. We
will also discuss the desirability of taking sufficient time to develop
mutual respectful relationships, to generate interest, and to listen
to tribal members who maintain strong attachments to pivotal events
set into motion over a century and a half ago. Finally, we will address
the role of the geographers as researchers and collaborators in the
types of projects that have been largely dominated by historians and
anthropologists. Email: kberry (at) unr.nevada.edu
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