Lab Hours

Let's play it safe and round it up to eight hours this week.

Today I came in and finished up, getting the database and Sac State numbers, as well as figuring out the final things I needed to put into the note section. I've looked up and down my sheets, checked all my documents, and made sure everything is in order. Yet, I'm still nervous about this!

While I don't want to go into the museum field, this class has been a fantastic experience. All the hard work and utter confusion (over the past couple of weeks!) was worth it.

Lab Hours

A LOT of research! Upwards of five or six hours in the past couple of days alone, but it's becoming very successful research!

Also docented for an hour and a half on Friday.

Lab Hours

I spent two hours docenting with Jim and Christian on Friday. After they left it began to pour, and a stream of random senior citizens were happy to come in and get out of the rain. I've always wondered what they're doing in Mendocino on Fridays...

 

Approximately one hour working on the repatriation project

 

Four hours spent in the lab looking for information on my objects. In four hours I only found stuff on the Tahitian Fans (one of the sources is from Hawaii, so I don't know if that works...). There were a lot of good books about New Zealand artifacts, filled with flax items. If I come across items I know other students have, I'll start writing it down in the a notebook and posting it on my blog.

 

I got a little frustrated towards the end of the day, but I found this photo in a book, which promptly lifted my spirits.

 

 

Repatriation

Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items: Horner Collection,
Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR:

Notice is here given in accordance with the Native American Graves
Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3005, of the intent
to repatriate cultural items in the possession of the Horner
Collection, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, that meet the
definition of ``unassociated funerary objects'' under 25 U.S.C. 3001.

This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003 (d)(3).
The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the
museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of the cultural
items. The National Park Service is not responsible for the
determinations in this notice.

The five cultural items are one drum, one drumstick, one Coho or
shinny stick, one trinket basket, and one wallet basket. Three of the
cultural items are part of the Dr. J.L. Hill collection

(Federal Notice)

 

 

Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Washington State
Parks and Recreation Commission, Olympia, WA:
SUMMARY: The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, in
consultation with the appropriate Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian
organizations, has determined that the cultural items listed in this
notice meet the definition of unassociated funerary objects. Lineal
descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian
organization not identified in this notice that wish to claim these
cultural items should submit a written request to the Washington State
Parks and Recreation Commission. If no additional claimants come
forward, transfer of control of the cultural items to the lineal
descendants, Indian tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in
this notice may proceed.
(Federal Notice)

 

 

Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Washington State
University, Museum of Anthropology, Pullman, WA:

SUMMARY: The Washington State University, Museum of Anthropology (WSU),
in consultation with the appropriate Indian tribes, has determined that
the cultural items meet the definition of unassociated funerary objects
and repatriation to the Indian tribes stated below may occur if no
additional claimants come forward. Representatives of any Indian tribe
that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with the cultural
items may contact WSU.

(Federal Notice)

 

The second and last descriptions are of interest to me because they are both parts from collections which originate in the Columbia Plateau, which is one of the areas I've done a lot of reading about.

 

I've loved the idea of NAGPRA since the day I heard about it. In a world where the Native American population was absolutely decimated, it's the best the government can do to offer SOMETHING that helps bolster cultural ties. I know certain things can muddy the water, such as scientific work (Like Kennewick Man), but it gets anthropologists working with Native Americans on important issues.

Museum Job

I have not had a museum job, however, I have had a volunteering position. Dr. Fisher and Dr. Nelson took me in last fall as a volunteer at our university Archaeological Curation Facility. Due to my 16 unit load this semester, I was forced to bow out of that opportunity. Out of Burcaw's five steps, the only one that necessarily applies to me in this instance is that I answered an advertisement about the volunteering position.

 

(Pulled from the Western Museums Association Job Board)

The National Museum of the American Indian seeks applications for an 18 month paid residency for entry-level Native American museum professionals. A successful candidate will demonstrate commitment to the museum profession through academic preparation, experience with paid or volunteer work at museums or community cultural centers, experience with exhibitions and/or collections research, and/or a track record of community-based scholarship. The Curatorial Resident will enjoy all of the staff privileges and responsibilities of the Museum Scholarship Group, based in Suitland, MD or New York City.

 

Applications should include: 1) curriculum vitae/ professional resume; 2) letter of support from an academic or community-based sponsor or mentor. 3) essay (1200 words or less) describing: a) the candidate’s career goals; b) what the candidate hopes to gain from the residency experience; and c) why the NMAI can play an important role in the candidate’s career development. Consideration will be given to candidates who can demonstrate how their experience will benefit their communities.

 

Compensation is competitive with entry-level museum appointments, accompanied by a benefits package including health insurance. Travel funds for professional development will be determined in consultation with supervision. Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.

 

Applications due April 15, 2014; start date June 2014.

 

Mail applications to: Patricia Scott, Cultural Resources Center, 4220 Silver Hill Road, Suitland, MD 20746-2863

 

• I have experience with volunteering, spending three months (so far) acquiring valuable experience working in Sacramento State University's archaeological curation facility.
• I have worked with the Einfeld Collection, which contains artifacts from the Great Basin. This collection is currently being catalogued in the Archaeological Research Center at Sacramento State University. By the end of the Spring 2014 semester, I will have accumulated over 90 hours with this particular collection.
• I have experience working with a museum collection, taking part in the researching and installing , which was displayed in Sacramento State University's Anthropology Museum from April 15, 2014 to May 15, 2014. This project introduced me to the methods of museum exhibition, as well as giving me valuable experience working with a group to make our concept a reality.

Lab Hours

I worked approximately six hours in the lab over the past week. This involved mounting descriptive texts on its boards, cleaning some of the cabinets, helping lower and adjust images and putting them on the wall, plus checking the levels of the images.

Lab Hours

Between the readings (which I know doesn't count) and other class work, I did not get much done this week in terms of lab hours. I went in to the museum yesterday for maybe 20 minutes? This is my worst week yet! However, I know this week is going to be busy, busy, busy.