The UC Santa Barbara Undergraduate Journal of History

This research investigates how Indigenous reservations influenced the early development of community archaeology in North America from the 1960s to the 1990s. Through examination of three key case studies - the Ozette site, Vanatta site, and Navajo Cultural Resources Management Program - the study reveals that reservation systems, despite their colonial origins, created institutional frameworks that facilitated collaboration between archaeologists and Indigenous communities. The legal and administrative structure of reservations required archaeologists to obtain tribal permissions and engage with Indigenous communities, leading to increased recognition of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives. While social movements and archaeologists' ethical awakening contributed to the field's transformation, the research demonstrates that reservation-based projects had lasting impacts, including the establishment of tribal cultural organizations and innovative curation practices. The findings challenge simplified narratives of professional reform by highlighting Indigenous agency's crucial role in archaeology's evolution from colonial practices to more inclusive methodologies.