The Ethical Use of Historic Photographs on the Internet

From its inception, the website development team envisioned collaboration with Indigenous artists and writers as a vital to its mission. (see Project Description) Contributors have been invited at all stages to comment or ask questions about content, policies, or structure of the exhibit. 

We recognize that providing digital access to cultural resources can be harmful to Indigenous communities through reinforcing rather than attacking tenacious stereotypes.

While NAGPRA does not directly consider digitized material, we recognize that the protection of cultural heritage and traditional knowledge are a right of all Indigenous people. While Keystone Company photographs are in the public domain, we recognize that US copyright does not cover many Indigenous concerns about old photographs.

The stereographs are part of the MSU Museum's cultural collections. In addition to working collaboratively with community members, we will consult with the MSU Museum and the appropriate cultural authorities, such as Tribal Heritage Preservation Officers (THPO), religious and cultural leaders, and tribal government officials, regarding any potential concerns about the Keystone stereographs.

In November 2020,  Laura Smith consulted with the Navajo Nation THPO regarding the posting of the Keystone View Company stereographs featuring Navajo subjects on the internet. They granted permission to use the images.

We will post future consultations as they are completed. If you believe that the website has published an image or information that should be restricted, send details to Laura Smith (smit1550@msu.edu).

Sources

Jane Lydon, "RETURN: The Photographic Archive and Technologies of Indigenous Memory," Photographies, Vol.3, No. 2, September 2010, pp. 173-187.

Nancy J. Parezo, "Whose Photographs? Native American Images on the Internet," in No Deal! Indigenous Arts and the Politics of Possession, Tressa Berman, ed. Santa Fe: SAR Press, 2012, pp. 32-53.