Paper short abstract:

Public folklorists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison partner with artists and educators of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians to help repatriate intangible cultural heritage lost or destroyed in the process of colonization.

Paper long abstract:

In the USA, the 19th century saw on the one hand extensive collection and documentation of American indigenous cultures and on the other hand systematic destruction of these cultures through processes of genocide and coerced assimilation. In the 21st century, American folklorists are working to repatriate material artifacts as well as intangible cultural heritage through partnerships between universities and tribal organizations. This poster describes one such partnership between the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. So far, the partnership has involved traditions connected with birchbark canoes, winter sports, and winter lodge construction. Activities include the documentation of current traditions, efforts to extend knowledge and interest in traditions among younger members of the tribe, and the development of online presentations that share the projects with a wider public and that can be used in tribal classrooms. The partnership provides an interesting model for a research program based on notions of equality and mutual interest between universities and tribal reservations, in which indigenous communities directly shape and direct the research undertaken by their university partners. The poster demonstrates some of the benefits and challenges of such work and the importance of ongoing extensive communication as a key to project success.