A 'strange multiplicity' of voices

Abstract

Cultural resource laws mandate the management and stewardship of archaeological sites located on federal property within the USA. Consultation with the appropriate stakeholders — usually local tribes — is an important component of this stewardship mandate. While the process of consultation is often routine, complexities arise when consultation concerns a site of contested heritage with multiple and interdependent stakeholding voices. Additionally, continuing manifestations of colonialism, such as the federal recognition process and stereotypical views of Native American authenticity, profoundly shape the stewardship landscape. The following article uses a site of heritage in the Pacific Northwest to explore the complex interplay between stewardship, stakeholders, and the continuing effects of colonial contact.