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Date of Award

Summer 2023

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Department or Program Affiliation

Department of Anthropology

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Anthropology

First Advisor

Koetje, Todd A.

Second Advisor

Ek, Jerald D.

Third Advisor

Young, Kathleen Z.

Abstract

This study braids qualitative and quantitative views of CMT studies to explore meanings and relationships with Culturally Modified Trees (CMT) with a concern for the ethnographic perspective currently absent in dominant structures. This research showcases community value when combining different CMT ontologies (Stillaguamish and Western Academic Definitions). Ethnohistorical methods and grounded theory help organize semi-structured interviews at five previously recorded archaeological CMT sites. There is a lack of feedback concerning Indigenous philosophy about classifying eco-facts or vivio-facts, specifically CMT. This study comprises an interdisciplinary team within the Stillaguamish Cultural Resources Department to reassess five previously documented cedar use sites in the Stillaguamish River Watershed in Washington State. Culturally Modified Trees are part of a larger picture layered underneath artificial landscapes and boundaries created by Western thinking. In this space of acknowledgment, we can engage the perspective of Indigenous land stewards who are the keepers of this intellect. Culturally Modified Trees are a rich topic that does not align neatly with Western archaeological training or “black box” thinking. This paper calls for a methodological change and seeks first-hand guidance from Indigenous knowledge keepers about the domains in which CMT ontology reflects coordinated care in and around traditionally managed landscapes.

Type

Text

Keywords

Memory, Acknowledgement, Community-Involvement, Archaeology, Transparency, Culturally Modified Trees

Publisher

Western Washington University

OCLC Number

1392010432

Subject – LCSH

Trees--Symbolic aspects--Washington (State)--Stillaguamish River Watershed; Archaeology--Washington (State)--Stillaguamish River Watershed; Stillaguamish Indians; Ethnoscience--Washington (State)--Stillaguamish River Watershed

Geographic Coverage

Stillaguamish River Watershed (Wash.)

Format

application/pdf

Genre/Form

masters theses

Language

English

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.

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