Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Quantification and analysis of factors influencing Dena'ina garment change through the 19th century - a collaborative study with the Dena'ina  (19th C Dena'ina garment change)

Outline
This project builds on my previous work on Northern Athapaskan clothing (Northern Athapaskan Art, 1989; Out of the North, 1989; A Special Gift, 1988, 1997; Some Warmer Tone, 1984, reprint 1992. Work accomplished in 2005 1. Initial collaborative work with Dena'ina women (photoelicitation and discussion) 2. Analysis of Dena'ina garments (photos, detailed notes on garment structure, materials/ dyes. ornament, quill patterning, etc.) at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History and National Museum of the American Indian; Peabody Museum, Cambridge; Field Museum, Chicago; Burke Museum, Seattle; Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh 3. Initial discussion with Anchorage Museum of History and Art and the Arctic Studies Center about exhibition at the museum 4. Data search of Alaska Commercial Company and mission records for Kenai area Work projected for 2006 1. Attend the Denaina Language camp at Kenai Community College in June. 2. Conduct structured and semi-structured field interviewing with Dena'ina women and elders at Kenai, Nondalton, and Lime Village. 3. Explore curriculum components with Dena'ina community. 4. With students at my university, devise and compile a searchable computerized database of the information that emerged in the 2005 garment analysis and the associated photographs. [preparing students for interdisciplinary research involving material culture analysis] 6. With student help, research relevant literature (history, cognitive anthropology, etc.). 7. With the Anchorage Museum of History and Art and the Arctic Studies Center, Anchorage for the exhibition, plan the exhibition. Work projected for 2007-08 1. With student help, prepare results for publication 2. With Dena'ina community, refine and assist in preparation of curriculum components 3. Continue work on exhibition with the Anchorage Museum of History and Art and the Arctic Studies Center.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Project will yield new information about Dena'ina women's strategies for adaptation to the challenges of colonialism (Russian American Company, museums, collectors, etc.) via garment construction and ornamentation, and insight into past and present adaptation. Educational outreach: exhibit at Anchorage Historical and Fine Arts Museum; curriculum for use in Dena'ina area schools, possibly elsewhere Preservation of traditional wisdom from elders and data about Dena'ina garments and history for the Dena'ina people and researchers Later related project: Demonstration that the organizational principles and motifs of 19C Dena'ina quill patterning appear also on 19th C Apache basketry in the Southwest and explanation of this.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
National Museum of Civilization, Canada- Judy Thompson who works w/ Athapaskan clothing; National Museums of Scotland - quill dyes; potential ties with National Museum of Finland and Museum of Ethnography, St. Petersburg, Russia IPY connections: 201 Northern Material Culture. Also relates to: 187 Exchange Local Knowledge. 206 Protecting Traditional Knowledge

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
East and west coast of Cook Inlet, Kenai Peninsula

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: June/05 - July/05 (done)       June/06 -July/06      June/07 - July/07 and 08 if needed
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
NONE

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
NO

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Own support

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Aron Crowell, Anchorage office of the Arctic Studies Center, Smithsonian Institution; North American museums with Dena'ina collections; and the National Museum of Scotland are involved so far.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
Yes

Continuation of a project begin in 2005 After initial collaboration with Dena'ina at Kenai in Summer 2005 I received permission and commitment to this project. Expanded collaboration and analysis is the next step.

How will the project be organised and managed?
Data collection and analysis self-managed. Exhibit at Anchorage Museum of History and Art managed by the museum and the Arctic Studies Center. I am not familiar with the data centers mentioned ( ICSU World Data Centres, Joint Committee for Antarctic Data Management, WCRP, etc.) and welcome advice in this area.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Exhibition at Anchorage Museum of History and Art in association w/ the Smithsonian's Arctic Studies Center. Preparation of curriculum and educational material for Kenai Schools. Publication of study results.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Images kept digitally and on film organized by object #. Spread sheet of data on characteristics managed by Duncan. Data available to Dena'ina, Arctic Study Center, museums represented and the scholarly community.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
I am applying from grants and RA assistance from my university, the American Philosophical Society, and possibly NSF. Any other suggestions will be welcomed!

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
I plan later to apply the pattern analysis methodology used in this Dena'ina study to 19C Apache garment construction and the patterning on early Apache baskets. I expect this to clarify similarities I see between Northern and Southern Athapaskan pattern design and lead to identification of cognitive and cultural factors that explain how and why the structure, motifs, and internal relationships within two-dimensional band patterning maintained over the centuries during which Northern Athapaskan people migrated to the Southwest. This method has the potential to enable future identification of linkages between linguistically related people now living distant from each other.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Kate C Duncan
Arizona State University
School of Art, Box 871505
Arizona State University
85287-1505
USA

Tel: 480/965-9310
Mobile: no
Fax: 480/965-838
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation