Curator of Native American and Indigenous History - Assistant, Associate, or Full

HISTORY COLORADO has a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion and cultural competency, because of that, we are continuously seeking to recruit individuals who will enhance this diversity and ultimately the effectiveness of our organization.

Two foundational things are true at History Colorado: We love Colorado. And we believe in the transformative power of history. We are a people-driven, history-centered movement building a better future. We are stronger when we do this together, building new knowledge and shared meaning that improves lives today and for our descendants. 

As an agency of the State of Colorado and a non-profit organization, we are committed to serving all Coloradans. We offer access to our state’s history through enriching experiences at eleven museums and historic sites, with dynamic and relevant exhibits and activities. We work with school groups and young learners through field trips, day camps, and traveling programs. We’re also home to a free public research center, Colorado’s Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (OAHP), and the Colorado State Historical Fund (SHF), the nation’s largest preservation program of its kind. We steward 15 million objects, photographs, and archival resources that make up the State’s collection, and serve tens of thousands of learners of all ages through dynamic programs.

We strive to be a place of belonging for all Coloradans. We’re committed to Colorado’s diverse communities through education, engagement, and access. We know we’re succeeding when more voices, perspectives, and experiences are part of History Colorado. It's our vision that every Coloradan feels rooted, draws strength from those who have come before us, and knows they belong in this place.

In pursuit of a more just and equitable Colorado, we embody the grounding virtues listed below as the foundation of all aspects of our work: our thinking, communication, process, outcomes, and evaluation. Our work is guided by, for, and of the communities we build, belong to, and serve, and we commit to:

• Being in Community

• Amplifying and Centering Voices of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color 

• Co-creation and Shared Authority

• Humility and Reflection 

• Responsiveness and Flexibility

• Shared Destiny

Mission Statement: We are Colorado. Together, our generational work centers communities, deepens knowledge and catalyzes the transformative power of history.

If you are considering a career opportunity with the goal of making a difference, consider joining the dedicated people at History Colorado. We offer fantastic benefits including:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401K and 457 plans

• Medical and dental health plans: https://stateofcoloradobenefits.com

• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account

• Paid life insurance, plus additional optional life insurance options

• Short- and long-term disability coverage

• 11 paid holidays per year plus generous vacation and sick leave accruals

• BenefitHub state employee discount program

• State of Health employee wellness program

• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules and more.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

History Colorado (HC) is looking for a Curator who is passionate about history and is excited to innovate and share in unique ways. The successful candidate will be a forward-thinking, creative, and dynamic individual with a belief in the power of collections and the stories they embody to engage people in making personal connections. This role requires the ability to recognize and deal with sensitive issues, work supportively with diverse cultures, and maintain an openness to stepping outside the traditional curatorial role. 

HC Curators are part of a dynamic team that works collaboratively across departments and alongside community in making decisions. This is notably different from a traditional museum model that can center all decision making with an individual curator.  Curators can lead OR support collections-centered programs, publications, research, exhibits, or other projects that include multidisciplinary staff.  

HC continues to develop decolonizing and anti-racist protocols for doing history work.  All our staff continue to document, preserve, share, collect, educate, display, and research with respectful intentions.  The Curator of Native American and Indigenous History will embody key themes in doing this work to continue and enact decolonizing and indigenizing strategies.

Representation

Recognizing Native American/Indigenous (NA/I) sovereignty and expertise is critical and HC actively consults and collaborates for collections, exhibits, research, and other educational and interpretive work.  

Ownership

HC holds and stewards collections for the people of Colorado and beyond.  With Tribal partnerships and deference to Indigenous knowledge and authority, we seek informed consent for access and use, interpretive expertise, and guidance for culturally-informed care.

Accountability

Over 145 years old, HC acknowledges our own colonial and inequitable past.  We strive for corrective practices and to learn how we can always do better.  HC works to institutionalize decolonizing practices in sustainable ways including Board-approved repatriation efforts and collaborative state-wide work in partnership with Tribes and supported by the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs.  HC benefits from these partnerships as they strive to quickly and respectfully repatriate and reinter ancestors, as well as implement Long-Term Tribal Loans for repatriated or tribally-owned cultural items.

HC Collection Information

Begun in 1879, the Collection is a tangible point of connection between the present and the past. It reflects who we are and what we value today, and records what will be of interest to Coloradans in the future. The value of The Collection lies in the powerful stories it holds, and in its potential for aiding public awareness and understanding of the state’s history through uses including: research, educational programming, exhibitions, loans, design inspiration, and community building. 

The NA/I collections include nearly 21,000 cultural items. The archaeological holdings focus on the Four Corners, Plains, and Basin cultures and include pottery, baskets, sandals, stone and bone tools, agricultural instruments, clothing, and personal adornments used by Indigenous peoples. Approximately 50 percent of the artifacts in the archaeology collection are from the Mesa Verde region. Other cultural items include pottery, basketry, beadwork, leatherwork, and textiles used by American Indians, Latinx, and other communities. The majority of items are from the 51 sovereign nations with ancestral ties to Colorado that continue to call this land home.

Major Responsibilities and Duties

1. Work with Tribes and communities, including through community advisory groups, Tribal Consultations, NAGPRA, community engagement, collecting initiatives, exhibitions, online platforms, and public programs

   1. Engage as part of the organization and the State occasionally with elected and/or cultural leadership 

   2. Collaborate with NAGPRA Collections Specialist and others as needed 

2. Acquire, manage, and process NA/I collections

   1. Use decolonizing strategies and ensure collections are represented inclusively with appropriate voices, focused on community authorship and perspectives, and prioritizing NA/I knowledge and ways of knowing

3. Collaboratively build knowledge and documentation projects–making the results available to the public through access and outreach initiatives, exhibitions, public programs, and publications

4. Participate in NA/I projects, such as the exhibit development process by serving support and/or lead on exhibit teams or with the Boarding School legislation work (*this position will not be assigned to every NA/I exhibit or project)

5. Assist with other projects as needed

Preferred Candidate Can Successfully Demonstrate:

• Progressive experience doing decolonizing work in a museum or other collecting institution with a public audience

• Considerable experience working with Tribes and NA/I communities, navigating cultural sensitivities, and co-authorship and co-creation

• Proven ability in collecting, processing, preservation, and digitization of collections

• High levels of experience in project management, meeting deadlines, and flexible multi-tasking in a fast-paced and sometimes ever-changing environment

• Strong abilities to make decisions, be self-directing, show motivation, and work both collaboratively in team environments AND independently

• Innovative and/or motivated approaches for collections programs, community or donor engagement, and providing access to collections

• Demonstrated knowledge of NA/I history and cultures, NAGPRA, cross-cultural sensitivity, a thorough understanding of museum ethics and best practices, and a familiarity with laws related to Tribal cultural belongings. 

• Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, Art History, History, Museum Studies, or other relevant degree with at least 1 year of full-time relevant experience; graduate degree is preferred

• Position requires periodic travel by car, van, or truck throughout the state, typically for periods of less than one week in duration

• Sometimes requires lifting heavy objects and working on ladders

Interested applicants are asked to submit a cover letter, resume, and a 2 page writing sample (exhibit text, grant application, article, blog, etc.).

*Rank and salary will be commensurate with experience (Asst, Assoc, Full)

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application, but will be used to supplement information to the application. Part of the selection process for this position will involve a review of the information you submit in your application materials. Therefore, it is paramount that in the experience portion of your application, you describe the extent that you possess the education, experience and competencies outlined in the job announcement as well as the special and/or preferred qualifications. Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions may prevent you from competing in subsequent measures used to arrive at a top group of applicants.

A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process. Felony convictions or conviction of crimes of moral turpitude or convictions of misdemeanors related to job duties may disqualify you from being considered for this position. Should your background check reveal any charges or convictions, it is your responsibility to provide Human Resources with an official disposition of any charges.