It is easier to see things when you look back in time. I wished someone like me had offered insight when I began this journey. Maybe I could have avoided some headaches, heartaches, and heartburn. If you are Native and looking to start a career in archaeology and/or anthropology, these are my words for you. Take them or leave them.
1) Be prepared to work harder than everyone else in your field. People will assume you don't know what you are doing; you are the DEI hire and only see things through a specific lens. You couldn't possibly be an impartial scientist in the field. That shouldn't matter because your only responsibility is to the resource. Everything else is just noise.
2) Focus on developing multiple skill sets in various sub-disciplines of anthropology/archaeology. Your resume matters, and being able to develop skill sets no one else has will help set you apart from the pack. This goes into tip #1. Hone your craft and execute tasks at the highest level.
3) It's important to know that you may receive less compensation than your counterparts in the field. Your traditional knowledge may not be directly rewarded but will be valued and sometimes exploited. Remember, the preservation of resources is our primary goal. Personal recognition should not be your focus if your work benefits the resource. We are all working towards a greater purpose. However, you do need to take care of yourself. Go where you are needed most.
4) Be prepared for the possibility that your suggestions may not always be acknowledged or acted upon. This is a common challenge in our field. However, it's important to remain resilient and continue to contribute your ideas. Your perseverance can lead to positive changes in the long run. Always make a written record of those recommendations. This may protect you in the future. We call it CYOA= Cover Your Own Ass.
5) Your non-Native coworkers will not talk about certain things or actions around you for fear of offending or inciting conflict. Usually, it's based on something someone else did that would accidentally damage a resource in the past or present. Sometimes, they won't mention it around you because they don't want to offend you. At worst, they are trying to protect someone from potential legal ramifications with the State or with Tribes. There is a whisper network in your field, and it extends to multiple genders and races. If you see something, say something.
6) Some people will want to hear recommendations from a non-Native, not you. Some are more receptive to hearing from a non-Native voice, giving it more validity. As a workaround, I have worked with non-Native coworkers to provide recommendations for these individuals to get things protected. I am not saying it is right, but it is a reality you will face.
7) You have a vested interest in protecting the resources, an interest that others around you will not have. This responsibility has been passed down for thousands of generations. People will try to tell you that you don't belong or make you feel you don't belong. Don't ever doubt your role or place in this work. We are the original stewards of the land. Everyone else is new to the game. Be cordial and welcoming to the new guests willing to fight for the resources. Be difficult for those who seek resource destruction.
8) Yes, you (and possibly loved ones) will be attacked personally and professionally based on your race and gender. As long as there has been resource exploitation in the United States, there has been violence against Natives, especially Native women. If you fight to protect the resources, you will eventually come under fire. It will come from not-so-obvious sources and might even be your blood relatives. Always, always keep a written record.
We can't control others, but we can control our actions. Be prepared for what lies ahead. There are many, many good-hearted people in your field, but there are still systems that need to be dismantled. Many people in your field benefit from these systems. Be aware of who those people are.
Best of Luck!