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56 Anthropology NewsleftedJanuary 1994 Commentary Preservation Office (CPO) lies in the fact that it is the Hopi Tribe that decides what research issues are appropriate. Communicating Research Ethics of Field Lack of clear communication has been the Research for the legacy of many past anthropologists at Hopi. In an attempt to avoid this situation, the Hopi Tribe CPO has established a Cultural Resources Advisory Task Team (CRA’IT). As a large part of its duties, the CRATT assists in the By Kurt E Dongoske (Hopi Cultural design, conduct and evaluation of anthropo- Preservation Ofice), T J Ferguson (Institute logical research. The CRA’IT is composed of the NorthAmerican West) and Michael of a group of about 18 men who are clan Yeatts (Hopi Cultural Preservation OfJice) elders and priests, representing virtually all The ethics of field research for anthropol- I2 Hopi villages and 14 religious societies. ogists employed by the Hopi Cultural All anthropological research undertaken Preservation Office presents daily chal- by the CPO thus entails the active participa- lenges that stem from the cross-cultural con- tion of tribal members at the village level as texts in which the work is conducted. On well as the tribal governmental level. Inter- every project sponsored by the Hopi Tribe, views with individual Hopi begin with an the professional ethics of anthropology have explanation of the purpose of the research to be assessed and reconciled with the ethics and proposed use of the information being and values of the Hopi Way-the collection collected. We find the opportunity to explain Hopi Cultural Resburces Advisory Task Team members (L-R) Harlan Williams, and use of field data obtained in ethnograph- our research methods and goals in plain lan- Frank Mofsie, Merwin Kooyahoema and Dalton Taylor review a report prepared by ic interviews must be done so as not to vie guage to a group of interested and distin- the Hopi Cultural Preservation OfJice (Photo by T J Ferguson, courtesy of the Insti- late either the individual informant’s trust, guished tribal advisers to be challenging and privileged clan or religious knowledge, or intellectually rewarding. The feedback dur- tute of the North American West). the culture and beliefs of the Hopi people. ing these dialogues enhances our research in Ethical issues addressed in this essay many unanticipated and valuable ways. undertakings, the CPO requests that these gious societies do not wish to expose sensi- include (1) clear communication to the people anthropologists study of the aims and Role and Treatment of Informants ’ agencies or researchers fund the CRATT tive knowledge to other Hopi, the CPO potential ramifications of all their profes- honoraria. maintains careful control over its tape- sional activities; (2) the rights, interests, In the past many anthropologists have Many federal and state officials, anthro- recorded and transcribed interviews. safety and sensitivities of those who entrust used Hopi people as “informants” rather pologists and archaeologists do not accord information to anthropologists; (3) the fair than as formal consultants or colleagues. traditional knowledge the same value as Consequences of Research and compensation to cultural consultants and Information was collected by anthropolo- Western education. This view is demon- Publication informants for the information and help . gists who interpreted and then received cred- strated in the double standard that has been anthropologists receive; (4) responsibility it for that information by publishing it under commonly applied in ethnohistoric While some may think the Hopi Tribe’s anthropologists have to the people whose their own names. Although many anthropol- research-those who have the most knowl- right of review constitutes censorship of the lives and cultures they study; and (5) the ogists relied extensively on the intellectual edge are the least likely to be viewed as work of the anthropologists it employs, we ongoing obligation of anthropologists to guidance of the Hopi with whom they “educated” and therefore less apt to be com- find that the review process presents an communicate and assess both the positive worked, these Hopi have received little cred- pensated for their knowledge. This situation unparalleled opportunity to correct mis- and negative consequences of their activi- it. Many of these Hopi informants also stems from such historical prejudices as the takes, learn more about what we are ties. The ways these ethical issues are remained anonymous in an attempt to avoid traditional view that Native Americans as researching and better evaluate the impact defined and resolved offer a valuable lesson family and community ridicule. subjects of research cannot be active partic- our research will have if disseminated pub- for our profession. One Hopi scholar, Hartmann Loma- ipants in research as cultural experts. Such a licly. This helps fulfill the ethical impera- waima, has criticized the anthropological view objectifies people and reduces them to tive not to harm the peopie we study. We Hopi Perceptions of Anthropology tradition of anonymity because it both pre- data, with the result that some anthropolo- have never been directed to change any of vents tribal members from validating the gists refuse to “pay data.” our findings or scholarly conclusions, The current perception of anthropology at unnamed sources and perpetuates the “We- Moreover, many federal and state offi- whereas we have been asked to correct mis- Hopi has been shaped by the practices of They” attitude, implying that it takes an cials assume that because traditional con- takes or not to release certain information to past anthropological and scholarly research. anthropologist to make sense out of tradi- cerns and places are of great significance, the public. While recognizing the value of some of this tional information. In the field research Native Americans should be willing to vol- The contractual right of the Hopi Tribe to research, many Hopi feel that much of that undertaken by the Hopi .CPO, there is no unteer their time and knowledge to protect approve publication of the research it spon- research was conducted under false pretens- question that the real experts on Hopi are the them. This would be a valid assumption if sors is no different than the proprietary es for the personal gain of non-Indian schol- Hopi people themselves. Anthropologists the project in question were controlled by rights exercised by businesses and govem- ars who benefit financially and professional- apply their technical skills to the collection Native Americans; but such a situation is ly from the publications they write. These of information, but it is the Hopi people who the exception rather than the rule. Native mental agencies. This right of review means Hopi think that many anthropologists did clarify ambiguities and ascertain cultural American groups rarely propose actions that selected Hopi research may be pub- not make full disclosure of their research meanings. likely to destroy resources with cultural lished. The CPO has approved several pub- goals and objectives to their Hopi “infor- The Hopi consultants choose whether to value. More often, negative consequences lications about its research, and additional mants.” As a consequence, esoteric knowl- remain anonymous in reports or be identi- occur when federal, state and private agen- publications are planned. edge was inappropriately made available to fied by name. To date, all Hopi we have cies pursue their own development agenda. Not all publications are approved, how- the public through articles and books. This interviewed have chosen to be identified. We cannot expect tribes to volunteer infor- ever, and this sets up a dynamic tension information is then subject to appropriation We feel that this is due to the fact that there mation before a federal agency has made a between the ethics of non-hdian anthropol- and (mis)use by “new age” seekers in ways are no secrets in the research we are con- firm commitment to both the consultation ogists to share their knowledge with other that most Hopi find objectionable. Addition- ducting and that the research has been sanc- process and the responsible management of anthropologists and Hopi ethics, which pro- ally, some of these anthropological publica- tioned by the Hopi Tribe. The purpose and traditional information. hibit the dissemination of certain types of tions contain inaccuracies, distortions and goals of the research as set by the Hopi information. In the Hopi CPO, this tension errors of fact, and once published, become a Tribe are understood, and review by the Responsibility to Those Studied is diffused by open discussion of the ethical false standard of truth. CRATT helps to ensure that only appropri- systems of both anthropologists and Hopi in As anthrapologists directly employed by ate information is released in the reports and Because the information we collect is an attempt to find a middle ground accept- the Hopi Tribe, we think that anthropology publications. often of such an esoteric nature that its pub- able to all parties. In the meantime, the can and should play a positive role at Hopi. lic dissemination could have detrimental anthropologists employed by CPO are hired The key to meaningful anthropological effects for the Hopi people, the Hopi CPO Fair Compensation with the understanding that the Hopi Tribe research conducted by the Hopi Cultural seeks to maintain confidentiality. Some- has a legal right to decide whether or not Although the members of the CRA’IT times the Hopi Tribe decides to release their research will be published. hold distinguished positions of authority details about the location or the use of AN Commentaries are designed within the traditional social structure of their sacred areas and other sensitive cultural to explore diverse views of the disci- villages, their participation on the committee sites if it will help the tribe attain its goals Developing a New Anthropology pline from an anthropological per- is a secular activity that is not a part of their to preserve or properly manage these sites. We believe that the Hopi Cultural Preser- religious responsibilities. Since participation Occasionally this information is released to spective. Commentaries reflect the vation Office has made exciting progress in the CRAlT takes these men away from state or federal agencies but not divulged in views of the authors: their publica- toward developing a new anthropology that their regular tasks and duties, the policy of reports made available to the public. In tion does not signify endorsement by is both relevant to and respectful of Hopi the Hopi Tribe is to offer a paid honorarium either case, it is the Tribe that determines the Anthropology Newsletter or the for the time they spend on consultation what information should be released and to concerns. The legal rights of the Hopi Tribe American Anthropological Associa- activities. whom, not the anthropologists. vis-5-vis anthropological research that are tion. Authors are expected to verify The Hopi Tribe provides the CPO with an In addition, Hopi are as concerned about clearly stated in research contracts help all factual information included in operating budget that funds a portion of the diffusing information within the tribe as clarify ethical issues for all involved. the text. Manuscripts should be less honoraria paid to CRATT members. about divulging information to non-Hopi. Because close personal relationships are as than 2000 words in length and must Because many of the CRAlT field trips and Most of the esoteric knowledge at Hopi is important as legal contracts, our goal is to be submitted on both disk and in consultation meetings are requested by the transmitted only to clan members or initi- cultivate cooperation between anthropolo- double-spaced hard copy. federal land-managing agencies sponsoring ates in various religious societies. Because gists and Hopi to meet the objectives of the consultation in association with federal people from specific villages, clans and reli- Hopi Cultural Preservation Office.