Archaeology For, By, and with the Navajo People- the Nihookáá Dine’É’ Bila’ Ashdla’Ii Way
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Archaeology For, By, and With the Navajo People- the Nihookáá Dine’é’ Bila’ Ashdla’ii Way By Ora Viola Marek-Martinez A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology in the Graduate Division of the University of California, Berkeley Committee in Charge: Professor Margaret W. Conkey Professor Kent G. Lightfoot Professor Thomas Biolsi Summer 2016 Abstract Archaeology For, By, and With the Navajo People- the Nihookáá Dine’é’ Bila’ Ashdla’ii Way By Ora Viola Marek-Martinez Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology University of California, Berkeley Professor Margaret W. Conkey, Chair The following chapters are a dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology in the Graduate Division of the University of California, Berkeley. This dissertation is a project that attempts to develop a template for implementing an “Indigenous archaeological” research paradigm for the Navajo Nation. The first chapter is a reflexive narrative, which is intended to situate the project within the field and within the wider socio-economic politics of becoming an “indigenous archaeologist.” In the next chapter, a description and analysis of Indigenous archaeological concepts and practices that can be used to create a Navajo approach to archaeology are discussed. Following this chapter is a presentation of a case study on the anthropological and archaeological historical legacy that has created and perpetuated the displacement of Navajo people in the prehistory of the Southwestern US; which will include examples of influential projects that has shaped Navajo displacement from the past. The fourth chapter will present a research design adopted by the Navajo Nation Council that will guide research on Navajo prehistory and history, and one which will allow for a uniquely Navajo perspective and history. The concluding chapter will discuss some of the wider implications of the research and provide recommendations for working with tribal communities to create tribally centered archaeological practices. 1 Table of Contents Table of Figures ...................................................................................................................... 2 Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................ 3 Chapter 1 ................................................................................................................................ 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 1 The Formation of an Indigenous Archaeologist ............................................................................................................ 8 Indigenous Archaeology: The Creation of a Space for a Navajo Approach to Archaeology ................... 27 Chapter 2 .............................................................................................................................. 30 Indigenous Archaeology: An Overview .................................................................................. 30 Federally Mandated Inclusion of Native Americans in the Archaeological Process ................................... 43 Chapter 3 .............................................................................................................................. 51 NIHOKÁÁ’ DINE’É BILA' ASHDLA'II (NAVAJO) ARCHAEOLOGY: The Past, the Present, and the Future ................................................................................................................................... 51 The Past of Navajo Archaeology ....................................................................................................................................... 55 Navajo Archaeology in its Present State ........................................................................................................................ 61 Summary: The Future of Nihokáá dine'é bila'ashdla'ii archaeology ............................................................... 75 Chapter 4 .............................................................................................................................. 80 Giving Tribal History back to the People: decolonizing methodologies .................................. 80 The “Problem” ............................................................................................................................................................................ 81 Data Collection Methods & Results .................................................................................................................................. 84 Results: Themes ........................................................................................................................................................................ 87 Analysis ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 98 Regulations to Accompany the Navajo Nation Cultural Resources Protection Act .................................. 101 Management Plan .................................................................................................................................................................. 103 Interpretation .......................................................................................................................................................................... 105 Decolonizing Methods in Archaeology ......................................................................................................................... 107 Decolonizing Diné Archaeology ...................................................................................................................................... 113 Nihookáá Dine’é Bila Ashdla’ii Archaeology ............................................................................................................ 115 Concluding Remarks ............................................................................................................................................................. 118 BIBLIOGRAPHY .................................................................................................................... 122 Appendix A- Interview Questionnaire ................................................................................. 151 Appendix B- Draft of Navajo Nation CRPA Regulations (TOC only) ...................................... 154 i Table of Figures Figure 1. Buffalo Eddy Petroglyphs along the Snake River, near Asotin, WA………………………………………………………………………………….………………………..…...11 Figure 2. Data Collection Methods (by %) used in Dissertation Research…………………………………………………………….………………………………………….86 Figure 3. Variables Considered for Each Recommendation…………………………………………………………………….……………..……99 Figure 4. Variables Considered for Creating a Navajo Research Design………………………………………………………………………………………………………….99 Figure 5. Variables Considered for Creating Regulations to the CRPA…………………………………………………………………………………….………………………102 Figure 6. Variables Considered for Creating a Navajo centered Management Plan…….…………………………………….……………………………………………………………..….104 ii Acknowledgements Ahe’hee’, Q’cew’yew’, and Thank you to all of my support networks for having the faith and courage to stand with me in my long doctoral degree journey! My Parents- Larry and Martha Marek have always pushed and encouraged me to do my best to achieve my goals, even if we didn't always see eye to eye on things. My husband- Victor Martinez has stood by me through the good and the bad, the highs and the lows, and has made me realize my work is a product of my life and is a reflection of my passion- te amo mucho mi Amor! My children- Victor, Alessandro, and Appolonia are a constant reminder of the importance of my work and their love and devotion are what has encouraged me to finish. My siblings- Ronnie, Cece, Izzy, and Larry- have each helped me in their own ways, and I am eternally grateful for all of the pushes, reminders, and pep talks to help me finish. My academic family has shown me an enormous amount of love and support that has been a constant reminder of my strength and place in the world! Thank you to Dr. Meg Conkey for always helping and caring, I’m not sure I would have been able to do this without you; Thank you to Dr. Kent Lightfoot whom has always supported me and encouraged me; to Dr. Laurie Wilkie, whom has reminded me of the reality of the situation and provided me with love and support; and finally, a thank you to Dr. Tom Biolsi, who has also been a strong supporter! Sara Gonzalez and Pattie Garcia-Plotkin you both mean the world to me and I thank you for always giving me those pep talks and for your laughter, humor, and love! You two are truly my soul mates! Finally, a huge Ahe’hee’, Q’cew’yew’, and Thank you to the Closet Chickens! iii Chapter 1 Introduction The following chapters are a dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology in the Graduate Division of the University of California, Berkeley. This dissertation is a project that attempts to develop a template for implementing an “Indigenous archaeological” research paradigm for the Navajo Nation. The first chapter is a reflexive narrative, which is intended to situate the project within the field