Reflecting on my experience in searching for Native American sources online for the Four View project that was assigned, I encountered a blend of accessibility and complexity in my opinion. The internet offers a wealth of information to our hands, but this abundance is a double-edged sword. While these online databases and digital archives provide easy access to a vast array of resources, the reliability and authenticity of the sources found are questionable at times and it requires careful scrutiny. Comparing physical objects with digitalized versions is a vast difference and further complicates this landscape. In my opinion, there is a significant difference between a physical object and its digitalized version. First off, it is hard to notice the intricate details when viewing a digital object since many of the photos and uploads do not provide a full picture of such items. Also, the objects are often distorted when compared to the physical objects. Observing digitaled objects also comes at the price of missing details, frequently it was difficult to conceptualize an object without being able to touch or view it in person. For my Four Views project specifically, it was challenging to determine the structure and size of the items I was assigned to, and the uploaded textures being flat detracted from the bead’s appearance. Additionally, physical items tell a far better story than the digital ones that were offered, as it is hard to see if an item is worn or has deteriorated through an online source compared to in person. To me, nothing beats physical objects. When it comes to items being ethically sourced, there is a lot to consider. One major challenge I faced was verifying the quality of the digital records. Some databases provide high-resolution images and detailed descriptions, while others offer scarce information, making it difficult to grasp the full significance of an object in full. This disparity raises questions about the comprehensiveness and accuracy of such online representation of Native American artifacts. Ethically, the digitization and online representation of Native American objects pose significant concerns. The NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act) website underscores the importance of proper representation and repatriation. The act mandates that museums and institutions return cultural artifacts to their rightful owners, the Native American communities, emphasizing respect for cultural heritage and their autonomy. This principle is crucial in considering the ethical implications of their digital representations. Who controls the narrative and the presentation of these artifacts in the online sources? How do we as people ensure that these representations are honoring the cultural significance plus the context as intended by the said Native communities?
One illustrative example is the recent repatriation of the two objects to the Siksika Nation by the National Museum of the American Indian (2023). This event heavily highlights the multitude of the importance of collaboration and respect in handling the Native objects. Museums must work closely with the Native communities to ensure that the artifacts are not only preserved perfectly but also accurately represented in the exact manner that is aligned with the community’s values and traditions. Furthermore, the ethical considerations extend to the manner in which these objects are sourced and displayed. Many Native American artifacts were historically acquired under the dubious circumstances of the past, often without the rightful consent of the Natives to which these objects belong. This raises critical questions about ownership and the obvious right to display cultural heritage. Museums and online platforms must prioritize transparent and ethical practices, including often consulting with the Native communities about how they want their artifacts presented and ensuring that the correct cultural narrative is accurately and respectfully conveyed. In conclusion, while digitaled archives and online resources have democratized our access to Native American sources, they also present a multitude of challenges in ensuring accurate and respectful representation. The physicality of artifacts holds irreplaceable value in many’s eyes, and the digitalization process must be handled with ethical consideration at the forefront. Collaborative efforts, as exemplified by the NAGPRA and the SIksika Nation repatriation, are essential to navigating all of these complexities and honoring the cultural heritage of the Native American communities.