Unit author: Joe Watkins (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma), Emeritus, Smithsonian Institution
Different Understandings of Respect
Description
The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act works because institutions must consult about their collections appropriately. Consultation provides the context for learning different worldviews and for gaining respect and being respectful. This unit exposes students to the concept of “different understandings of respect” as it relates to consultation. The unit offers a basic introduction to intercultural communication styles and the ways differing styles influence interaction and understanding, especially during interaction with tribal elected and traditional leaders and tribal members. Additionally, it offers basic explanations on the ideas of consultation required by federal law, regulations, and policies and the ways that communication can influence the outcomes.
Learning Goals
- Recognize that culture influences how we interact with others by:
- Comparing direct and indirect communication styles,
- Analyzing the role of context in communication, and
- Relating the impact of power and status to communication
- Synthesize the role of consultation in federal relationships with tribes
Reading Lists
Background for Instructor
McIntosh, Peggy. 1989. “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack.” Online with “Some Notes for Facilitators” (2010).
Watkins, Joe and T.J. Ferguson. 2005. “Working with and Working for Indigenous Communities”. In Handbook of Archaeological Methods, Herbert D.G. Maschner and Christopher Chippendale, eds., pp. 1371-1405. AltaMira Press, Walnut Creek.
Optional and recommended, the instructor should look through additional information indcluded in:
Peace Corps. ND.Culture Matters: The Peace Corps Cross-Cultural Workbook.
Elliott, Candia, R. Jerry Adams, and Suganya Sockalingham. 2016. The Toolkit for Cross-Cultural Collaboration.
Powerpoint: Different Understandings of Respect; Lecture Notes
Assigned for Learners
McIntosh, Peggy. 1989. “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack.” Online with “Some Notes for Facilitators” (2010).
Watkins, Joe and T.J. Ferguson. 2005. “Working with and Working for Indigenous Communities”. In Handbook of Archaeological Methods, Herbert D.G. Maschner and Christopher Chippendale, eds., pp. 1371-1405. AltaMira Press, Walnut Creek.