Eastern Pequot Archaeological Field School
Department of AnthropologyHistorical Archaeology Master’s Program
Eastern Pequot Archaeological Field School
Anthropology 485 (Summer 2013)One section of department’s “field school” rubricOngoing for eight summers since 2003Course description and objectives
Teach standard archaeological field methodsStudy Indigenous cultural and community persistence within and responses to colonialismCollaborate with Native American community members to ensure that archaeological work meets their needsInvolve students in community-engaged scholarship and learning
North Stonington, Connecticut
Eastern Pequot Archaeological Field School
Stephen W. SillimanProfessor of Anthropology, Graduate Program DirectorUMass Boston
Judith F. Zeitlin (participant for CESI grant)Professor of Anthropology, Department ChairUMass Boston
Katherine Sebastian DringTribal CouncilorEastern Pequot Tribal Nation
Brenda GeerTribal Councilor, Corresponding SecretaryEastern Pequot Tribal Nation
J. Cedric WoodsInstitute for New England Native American Studies, DirectorUMass Boston
Eastern Pequot Archaeological Field School
Project goalsMaintain current level of community engagement Involve tribal community members
in fieldworkSeek Tribal Council approval for project componentsParticipate in cultural and social events involving students and community membersIntegrate community preferences into archaeological practice and student training
Eastern Pequot Archaeological Field School
Project goalsMaintain current level of community engagement Involve tribal community members
in fieldworkSeek Tribal Council approval for project components
Develop new kinds of community engagement Design public/private website for
more sustained conversations and better pedagogical anchor…
Participate in cultural and social events involving students and community membersIntegrate community preferences into archaeological practice and student training
Before, during, and after field courseInvolving students and community membersMainly within private virtual collaborative space
Eastern Pequot Archaeological Field School
Anticipated project outcomesDesign and launch course website for Summer 2013 or shortly thereafterContinue to involve Eastern Pequot community members in fieldwork, planning, and interpretation
Provide students with perspectives and tools for achieving positive outcomes for communitiesDemonstrate to students (and the archaeological community) why community engagement makes research better
Further train Eastern Pequot tribal members in archaeological techniques and offer course credit
Advance academic research on colonialism, indigeneity, and the politics of heritage
Eastern Pequot Archaeological Field School
Hopes for workshopConsider other Web 2.0 collaborative options to make most informed decisionDiscover new venues, relationships, and outcomes possible with community engagementDiscuss relationship between scholarship, community work, and activism/advocacyBetter connect with other faculty members pursuing a diversity of community-engagement projects