Place Making, Keeping, and Guarding: A Museum/Cultural Centre in a Gentrifying Ethnic Enclave

Authors

  • Laurie A. Walker Associate Professor, University of Montana – School of Social Work
  • Courtney Little Axe Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) Assistant, Autry Museum of the American West
  • Laura J. Folkwein Associate Pastor, University Congregational Church Missoula
  • MJ DesRosier Community Organizer, Humanities Montana
  • Stephan Chase Associate Director, American Indians in Math and Science (MT AIMS), University of Montana

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48336/IJIJUG8013

Keywords:

colonialism, ethnic groups, gentrification, migration, residence characteristics, resistance

Abstract

Neighbourhoods experiencing multiple waves of redevelopment may include residents with various reasons for supporting or resisting a museum or cultural centre. The data were collected and triangulated from a mixed-methods survey of 48% of residents (n = 195), qualitative interviews with neighbourhood-association attendees (n = 17), field notes, and archival data representing stakeholder groups. Survey questions focused on resident ratings of the importance of specific components of proposed development, neighbourhood-association organizational collective efficacy, and demographic variables. Sample demographics represent three groups: generational, predominantly Indigenous and Latinx residents; those who had relocated to the neighbourhood during urban renewal; and newer residents who represent neighbourhood demographics of the city as a whole. The three groups show mean differences in their answers to survey questions based on length of time in the neighbourhood. Models created from the results show differences among the three groups’ reasons for their support of a heritage museum or cultural centre. Thematic analysis of survey and interview data from generational and newer-resident perspectives resulted in themes focused on development that maintains culture. Study results highlight differences in priorities among newer residents and planners who focus on tourism and streetcar-related economic development versus generational residents and activists who focus on people, culture, and place.

Author Biographies

Laurie A. Walker, Associate Professor, University of Montana – School of Social Work

Laurie’s research focuses on concentrated poverty neighbourhood social dynamics, community organizing, and community development. Laurie also researches the over-incarceration of Native American women and over-disciplining of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour and disability populations in public primary and secondary schools in Montana. Laurie was awarded the Association of Community Organization and Social Action Emerging Scholar Award in 2014 and the Ernest A. Lynton Award for the Scholarship of Engagement in 2017.

Courtney Little Axe, Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) Assistant, Autry Museum of the American West

Courtney Little Axe (Northern Cheyenne and Absentee Shawnee) is an artist, community organizer, and activist raised on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation. She was an Exhibitions Research and Publications Fellow for the Native American Fellowship Program at the Peabody Essex Museum. Courtney is the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act Assistant at the Autry Museum of the American West, where she assists with the repatriation of cultural items to their respective communities.

Laura J. Folkwein, Associate Pastor, University Congregational Church Missoula

Rev. Laura Folkwein is a social worker and ordained pastor in the United Church of Christ. She has worked in community social work as a volunteer, staff member, and clergy person for over 20 years. She is a descendant of Slovak, English, and German immigrant settlers.

MJ DesRosier, Community Organizer, Humanities Montana

MJ DesRosier is from the Blackfeet Reservation in Browning, Montana, and is a descendant of both the Blackfeet and Gros Ventre nations. After military service, MJ attended the University of Montana earning a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy with a minor in Environmental Studies and Environmental Ethics certificate. MJ is passionate about environmental ethics and looks to continue a life of environment activism.

Stephan Chase, Associate Director, American Indians in Math and Science (MT AIMS), University of Montana

Stephan Chase (Diné) is a member of the Navajo Nation in Arizona. Stephan attended the University of Montana and earned bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Native American Studies. Stephan is the current Associate Director for the MT AIMS program, which hosts summer STEM camps for middle-school students from or near Montana Indigenous communities.

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Published

2021-03-19