There is in my opinion a difference between a physical and digitized version of an object/item. I feel like personally when I have a physical object/ document in front of me I can see it and feel like I trust what’s in front of me and understand that it’s not altered and a way I can’t realize and don’t see. On the side, I feel the opposite with digital versions of an object/document of an item. I feel like seeing something on a screen I can’t focus that well on it, along with having the feeling of not being able to fully trust what’s in front of me. The feeling of not being able to trust does depend on what site or source I’m receiving the information from. While doing our Four-Views project my opinion on digital sources was tested a bit. I feel like the sites I was looking for information were more trustworthy since they were sites from these actual indigenous groups and it felt like I was getting an authentic source of information. However, I did run into certain sites that were run by non-indigenous groups and it’s not that I didn’t fully trust them but I had a few thoughts of “how correct is this information” or “ was some of these objects/documents” obtained ethically. I started to think about NAGPRA and if some of these certain sites and museums I was looking through were affected by NAGPRA or if they were in full support of their mission. I guess this plays into my personal feeling of not feeling trustworthy towards these sites, it plays into my thoughts of digital materials being easily twisted and obscured. Another feeling I felt while researching through some of these non-indigenous websites was if what I was looking at was actually from where and when these websites said they were. I am thinking how correct could this be if when talking about the internet online altering is always possible. While having something physically given and shown to me I can see who’s presenting the material and I can also ask questions if they arise and confirm that the info I’m receiving is factual and correct.
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Hi Vince! Thank you so much for sharing these thoughts. It is interesting to think about the difference between physical and digital items, as well as how our experience changes when interacting with these sources. Although search engines can make our research infinitely easier, there are critical limitations with such technology. Especially when grappling with Native history, we need to be aware of how these platforms might replicate colonial systems of preserving and presenting knowledge. As we increasingly “do history” in a digital age, we can work to make these platforms/collections more representative, collaborative, and equitable for all.
Hi Vince, I enjoyed reading your thoughts on the difference between a physical and digitized version of an object. It’s understandable that you didn’t fully trust the site or source while working on the Four Views project. Whenever I’m doing research for a class, I also question whether my sources are trustworthy and I’m getting accurate information. It’s important to be aware of how digital platforms present and preserve Native history. I’m glad that you were able to find outside sources from Indigenous groups for “authentic sources of information.” After learning about NAGPRA, I also decided to avoid websites such as the British Museum because I didn’t want to support their cause.