NSF #2327574

This CAREER project focuses examining Indigenous perceptions and use of digital 3D models of artifacts through the process of digitally reuniting Arctic Indigenous material heritage with origin and descendant communities in the Bering Strait region of Alaska. The project undertakes an innovative approach through merging fully collaborative, community-engaged research methods with digital 3D modeling and augmented reality technology. By closely working with project partners, including Kawerak Inc., the Alaska Native non-profit regional Tribal consortium for the Bering Strait region, we are creating a blueprint for providing origin and descendant communities with access to museum collections, co-producing procedures for the ethical management of digital 3D data, and decolonizing Indigenous museum collections. 

NSF #2325183 

In this project we are developing responsible conduct of research guidelines for using 3D technologies in digitally preserving Indigenous material heritage. The project working group brings together museum professionals, Indigenous communities, researchers, and 3D heritage preservation professionals actively engaged in using 3D technologies in heritage preservation projects. The goal is to develop a set of comprehensive guidelines that stem from hands-on experiences with 3D digitization projects of Indigenous collections. The guidelines are built on Indigenous perspectives from multiple cultural traditions and incorporate researcher expertise from diverse areas of heritage preservation. This approach foster cultures of academic integrity through the development of a comprehensive guiding document that can be adapted to address culture-specific Indigenous perspectives as well as project-specific challenges in future 3D heritage preservation endeavors.