Collaboration between Tribal and Non-Tribal Organizations: Sharing Expertise, Knowledge, and Cultural Resources

We are aware that many archival repositories in the West hold sensitive native cultural materials and that many of us live and work on or near historical tribal lands. This proximity offers important opportunities for building trusting relationships that can heal ancient wounds and that create a more just society. Collaborations between tribal and non-tribal organizations bring diverse communities together, often for the first time, to educate and learn, to address misinterpretations of the past, and to share cultural resources and knowledge. By examining data obtained through a nationally distributed survey, our research explores how successful partnerships between tribal and nontribal institutions are initiated, developed, and maintained; and reveals the 'lessons learned' across a wide range of collaborative projects and partnerships. Our overview of collaborative models is intended to offer recommended best practices for both tribal and nontribal organizations interested in sharing useful skills, knowledge, and resources through partnerships built on mutual understanding and respect.