Indigenous Fellowships in Conservation
The Indigenous Fellowship Program in Conservation offers experience working with the Museum Science Conservation group on collections items from Indigenous communities, providing access to conservation information and skills, as well as collections and archives. The program welcomed its first fellows in 2024, and has helped both to establish new relationships and strengthen existing ones between the Museum and originating communities.
The Fellowship program is driven by the interests and needs of each fellow, in collaboration with museum staff and community members to identify priorities and select individual projects. Fellows learn about conservation and collections care practices, focusing on items from Indigenous communities. The program includes funding for Indigenous consultation, mentorship, and outreach. This support has enabled the involvement of consultants and mentors, such as community elders and Indigenous museum professionals, and allowed fellows to visit other institutions and attend conferences and workshops.
Fellows
© AMNH
SGaan Kwahagang James McGuire
Haida Nation, G̲aag'yals K̲iiG̲awaay Skedans Raven clan
James is a cultural artist, singer, and dancer specializing in metalwork and argillite carving. During his fellowship at AMNH, he contributed to conservation, education, and repatriation efforts, focusing on Haida belongings. He cleaned and reattributed key collection items, learned conservation techniques, and engaged in community outreach and international collaboration. His work helped reconnect the Haida community with important cultural items and informed museum practices. James also educated visitors and collaborated with institutions globally, furthering understanding of Indigenous stewardship and conservation.
“I chose to focus on a Haida chest because it carries not only the grime of a century in a museum, but also the brilliance of Haida artistry and knowledge beneath. By learning to clean it safely, I aimed to reveal the mastery hidden under decades of soot—so others can learn too. When I shared images of the chest with those back home, artists were moved by our ancestors’ deep understanding of our formline language. This chest continues to teach me, and now it teaches carvers and students in Haida Gwaii. One day, it may return home to share its stories without barriers.”
© AMNH
Alejandra Valadez
Haíɫzaqv nation of Bella Bella, BC, Canada, and the Sapotaweyak Cree nation, MB, Canada, and Mexican ancestry from the American Southwest
Alejandra learned about collections care and explored future paths in collections management or conservation during her fellowship at AMNH. As an emerging professional, she focused on engaging with her Nation’s belongings in a respectful way. Her main project involved researching, rehousing, and treating a dentalium shell necklace made and used by women, work often overlooked in past research. As a beadworker herself, she felt a deep connection to the piece. Alejandra stabilized, cleaned, and carefully restored missing parts, ensuring all changes were documented and reversible, bringing new life to this significant item.
"During my time at AMNH, I was able to learn from an incredible team of conservators, where their encouragement and mentorship opened my eyes to so many new possibilities for my future. As an undergraduate student, this fellowship allowed me to access spaces and resources I would not have been able to otherwise, and that has deeply enhanced my learning. I feel so privileged to have been able to connect with other Indigenous academics and artists, who are re-imagining what museums look like and how they work with Indigenous communities."
Daniel Kim/© AMNH
Dani Curlin
Yokuts from Tule River, California
During the fellowship, Dani, aimed to learn about and care for the baskets from Tule at AMNH and gain general knowledge about the necessary collection care in her community. Dani’s work focused on basketry from Tule River and included the construction of innovative storage supports for three ceremonial baskets, cleaning of baskets, and extensive photography of the basketry collection for sharing with the community.
“I appreciate the opportunity and the overall support in my participation in the Indigenous Fellowship Program. I would like to emphasize how greatly I appreciate the Conservation staff for extending themselves considerably throughout my time there. Being that the staff provided me with so many useful work tools and gave me the room to work in a way that supported a value system that lives outside of common institutional practices (in order to offer respect and care to the baskets and other pieces of cultural significance that are currently in AMNH repository —even for a short period of time) makes this experience and their ability to take strides in this with me something that I will continue to seek in future endeavors.”—Dani
Daniel Kim/© AMNH
Jessie Kortscheff
Yoeme from Arizona and Mexico and Ngäbe of Panama
During the Fellowship, she aimed to broaden her experience and continue to discover how best to integrate her Indigenous voice and perspective into collections work within an institutional setting. Jessie worked on several projects, including caring for a collection of Yoeme palm leaf basketry, cleaning a pair of silver Yoeme earrings, cleaning, reshaping, and constructing a custom support for a Ngäbe basketry hat, and stabilizing a Ngäbe beaded necklace.
“My overall time spent at the institution was eye-opening and transformative. As someone who works in this field, I interact with various tribes, their ancestors, and their belongings. Visiting a place where my ancestors' items are held, and seeing the craftsmanship and care that went into creating them, was a profound experience. It allowed me to feel more connected to my roots and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of my ancestors' stories and their impact on my people. Working in an institution with a rich history that is committed to mending relationships with Native and Indigenous communities was remarkable. The positive experience extended to working with everyone at the institution; they were incredibly welcoming and warm, making me feel like part of a family. I was able to develop lasting relationships as a result.”—Jessie