Guidelines and Policy Supporting Native Communities and Collections

The Indian Arts Research Center supports the development of policy and guidelines focused on equity in museum practice, particularly as it relates to Indigenous communities and collecting institutions. To this end, the IARC works with museums, culture bearers, and community members to develop best practices and considerations around these issues. The Guidelines for Collaboration, Standards for Museums with Native American Collections, and Indigenous Collections Care Guide each address different areas of museum practice and collaborative relationships.

Guidelines for Collaboration: Guidelines for Museums, Guidelines for Communities

Published 2017, Revised 2019

The Guidelines for Museums are intended as a resource for museums who are working in collaboration with Native communities. This document, which is centered in collections and conservation, does not present a set of rules; instead, it offers principles and considerations for building successful collaborations. The Guidelines for Communities are intended as a resource for Native community members who are working in collaboration with museums, particularly as it relates to collections and conservation. This document seeks to make the historically opaque workings of museums more transparent. It is not presented as a set of rules; instead, it offers ideas to consider when working with museums.

The Guidelines for Collaboration offers actionable steps and a broad overview for collaboration and building relationships that is complimentary to the ICC Guide framework. This is essential for implementation and to begin Indigenous collections care considerations.

Standards for Museums with Native American Collections (SMNAC)

Published May 2023

A guide for museum professionals who work within museums holding Native collections, big or small. SMNAC addresses all areas of museum work and aligns Native goals with the American Alliance of Museum’s Core Standards by addressing the following functional areas: Public Trust and Accountability; Collections Stewardship; Education and Interpretation; Mission and Planning; Leadership and Organizational Structure; Financial Stability; Facilities and Risk Management

The SMNAC document is an expansion of the Guidelines. It lists broad functional areas and provides suggestions and goals for indigenizing those areas that apply to all roles and departments of a museum. The "Collections Stewardship" section is complimentary to sections of the ICC Guide.

Indigenous Collections Care (ICC) Guide

To be completed Fall 2026

The Indigenous Collections Care (ICC) Guide will provide a framework to respect and recenter collections stewardship practices around the needs and knowledge of Native American and Indigenous community members. It will be an accessible reference tool offering considerations and guidance for professionals who interact regularly with Native material culture and culturally sensitive items.

The ICC Guide is complimentary to both the Guidelines and SMNAC documents. It is a deep dive into collections stewardship and documentation considerations.