About
The AWA Diversity Committee is determined to improve equity, diversity, inclusivity, and belonging of all people in Washington and Pacific Northwest archaeology, as well as to promote decolonizing* and antiracist practices.
AWA members can watch a virtual introduction to the Diversity Committee and the work we are doing in the 15-minute video Addressing Issues of Equity in Washington State Archaeology through the AWA by logging in.
Mission
The AWA Diversity Committee works to achieve equity, diversity, and inclusion in Washington and Pacific Northwest archaeology. It does so by providing equal opportunities to, and supporting participation by, people of all ethnic and national origins, genders and gender identities, sexual orientations, religious backgrounds, socioeconomic statuses, ages, and physical and mental abilities among our academic, tribal, professional, and other members, and throughout the wider cultural resources community.
The AWA Diversity Committee is actively committed to promoting antiracist and decolonizing* practices within archaeology. We recognize the colonial and oppressive practices and narratives in archaeology and heritage stewardship. The Committee strives to decenter these practices and narratives so that archaeology is done in collaboration with Indigenous peoples and local descendant communities, to transform the demographics of archaeology and its practice, and to combat racism and white supremacy in the discipline.
The AWA Diversity Committee is actively committed to promoting antiracist and decolonizing* practices within archaeology. We recognize the colonial and oppressive practices and narratives in archaeology and heritage stewardship. The Committee strives to decenter these practices and narratives so that archaeology is done in collaboration with Indigenous peoples and local descendant communities, to transform the demographics of archaeology and its practice, and to combat racism and white supremacy in the discipline.
*The verb decolonizing can be defined in many ways, so the AWADC provides the following definition of decolonizing to support this Mission Statement.
Decolonization is the active and intentional process of unlearning and undoing harmful colonialist values, behaviors, and beliefs by creating counter-discourses and counter-practices to oppressive, imperialist, and colonialist ways of knowing and doing (Atalay 2006; Bruchac 2014; Native Justice Coalition 2022; Nicholas 2010). The decolonization process requires undoing structures that have marginalized Indigenous peoples and centering Indigenous knowledge, values, views, and voices. In archaeology, decolonization begins with “the critical recognition of the colonial lens through which archaeological interpretations have been built,” (Atalay 2006:283) and calls for practices and policies that are with, for, and by Indigenous peoples throughout all phases of a project (Atalay 2006:283; Nicholas and Andrews 1997; Tuck and Yang 2012). While decolonization may mean many things to many people, decolonization is not a metaphor. It should not be co-opted by researchers, academics, or professionals to recenter whiteness, maintain settler futures, or absolve settler guilt (Tuck and Yang 2012).
Decolonization is the active and intentional process of unlearning and undoing harmful colonialist values, behaviors, and beliefs by creating counter-discourses and counter-practices to oppressive, imperialist, and colonialist ways of knowing and doing (Atalay 2006; Bruchac 2014; Native Justice Coalition 2022; Nicholas 2010). The decolonization process requires undoing structures that have marginalized Indigenous peoples and centering Indigenous knowledge, values, views, and voices. In archaeology, decolonization begins with “the critical recognition of the colonial lens through which archaeological interpretations have been built,” (Atalay 2006:283) and calls for practices and policies that are with, for, and by Indigenous peoples throughout all phases of a project (Atalay 2006:283; Nicholas and Andrews 1997; Tuck and Yang 2012). While decolonization may mean many things to many people, decolonization is not a metaphor. It should not be co-opted by researchers, academics, or professionals to recenter whiteness, maintain settler futures, or absolve settler guilt (Tuck and Yang 2012).
The AWA is interested in hearing from you if you would like to discuss this Mission Statement or definition of the verb decolonizing.
To learn more about this term and its many meanings, please check out these sources.
Please reach out to awadiversity@gmail.com if you need a copy of one of these sources and you do not have other access.
To learn more about this term and its many meanings, please check out these sources.
Please reach out to awadiversity@gmail.com if you need a copy of one of these sources and you do not have other access.
Current Projects
Online Resources: Establish webpages with resources on antiracism, decolonization, equity, diversity, and inclusion (click on buttons below).
Community Groups: Establish spaces for archaeologists from historically marginalized and underrepresented communities and/or identities to connect, hang out, and network.
Code of Conduct: Author a Code of Conduct to help people understand acceptable, non-exclusionary behavior.
Public Scholarship: Engage in public scholarship, such as webinars, to provide a platform for archaeologists from historically marginalized and underrepresented communities and/or identities to speak about their research and experiences.
Relationship Building: Create and implement a plan for continued engagement with tribal and other descendant community institutions through conferences, seminars, meetings, and other means.
Community Groups: Establish spaces for archaeologists from historically marginalized and underrepresented communities and/or identities to connect, hang out, and network.
Code of Conduct: Author a Code of Conduct to help people understand acceptable, non-exclusionary behavior.
Public Scholarship: Engage in public scholarship, such as webinars, to provide a platform for archaeologists from historically marginalized and underrepresented communities and/or identities to speak about their research and experiences.
Relationship Building: Create and implement a plan for continued engagement with tribal and other descendant community institutions through conferences, seminars, meetings, and other means.
Resources
Click on these buttons to Listen, Watch, Read, Follow, and Learn more about Racism, Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion.
Contact
For more information, or to join the Diversity Committee, please contact the Committee Chair at awadiversity@gmail.com.
Members:
Susan Larsen
Mars Galloway
Tiffany Fulkerson
Anna Coon
Brandy Rinck "I was inspired by the AWA's Statement on Racism, Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion and I wanted to participate in improving equity in the AWA."
Pat McCutcheon "I found the diversity/inclusivity/equity training done annually at my place of employment good, but not enough. I joined this committee to accelerate my own professional development and make sure that AWA becomes of leader on issues of diversity/inclusivity/equity in PNW archaeology."
Justin Colón
Melissa Teoh
Anonymous Member
Members:
Susan Larsen
Mars Galloway
Tiffany Fulkerson
Anna Coon
Brandy Rinck "I was inspired by the AWA's Statement on Racism, Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion and I wanted to participate in improving equity in the AWA."
Pat McCutcheon "I found the diversity/inclusivity/equity training done annually at my place of employment good, but not enough. I joined this committee to accelerate my own professional development and make sure that AWA becomes of leader on issues of diversity/inclusivity/equity in PNW archaeology."
Justin Colón
Melissa Teoh
Anonymous Member