Frequently Asked Questions
THE BASICS
What makes the RRN unique?
What are the RRN’s unique technological
contributions?
Who has access to the RRN?
How can I access the RRN?
Who collaborates on the RRN development?
Who does the Steering Group report to?
Who administers the RRN development?
Who pays for the RRN development?
RECIPROCAL NETWORKING
How do the originating communities interact
through the RRN?
What are some of the technological benefits to the
communities?
What are some of the benefits of community
participation?
WORKING GROUPS
What is required in the Working Group Governance?
What is required in the Working Group Research
Model?
What is required in the Working Group Functional
Requirements?
What is required in the Working Group Cross
Systems?
What is required in the Working Group IT?
BACKGROUND
What makes the RRN unique?
- The RRN objectives respect cultural values, support the integration of clearer understandings of First Nations’ customary laws and cultural knowledge into standard museum practices and philosophies, and further global discussions on cultural heritage and intellectual property.
- It presents a new model of museum research and community access: a two-way, or reciprocal, exchange of knowledge via the World Wide Web.
- Originating communities will be able to view cultural items from their own perspectives, add their own knowledge, and learn from previously accumulated knowledge.
- Researchers and museum staff will be able to connect with and enhance relationships with communities in ways not currently possible.
- Geographically dispersed users will be able to conduct individual and collaborative research on cultural objects held in institutions around the world for the mutual benefit of all.
What are the RRN’s unique technological contributions?
- A portal that can communicate with diverse collection management systems, allowing end users to view objects situated in multiple institutions through one interface.
- Promotes collaboration by providing an accessible online workspace
- Technology that acknowlegdes and incorporates the real privacy needs of originating communities.
- You can request an account at http://rrnpilot.org/
- MOA visitors can access at dedicated workstations in the museum.
- The RRN can be accessed through the web. If you do not already have an account, you can request one at: http://www.rrnpilot.org
Who is involved in the RRN development?
- The RRN is co-developed in equal partnership by the Musqueam Indian Band, the Stó:lō Nation / Stó:lō Tribal Council, the U'mista Cultural Society and the Museum of Anthropology. The co-developers have each appointed one member to the RRN Steering Group.
- A number of cultural institutions (referred to as partner institutions) also participate in the development and operation of the RRN.
- The RRN Steering Group is responsible for providing project oversight to ensure the RRN will meet its stated vision and purpose.
Who does the Steering Group report to?
- The Program Sponsor – Dr. Anthony Shelton
- Partnership of Peoples Leadership Team - through the RRN Lead
- The Museum Users Steering Committee (MUGS) - through both the Program Sponsor and member Leona Sparrow (representing both Musqueam and the RRN Steering Group)
Who administers the RRN Development?
The Museum of Anthropology (MOA) and the University of British Columbia (UBC) are the Sponsor Institutions. As a key component of MOA’s Partnership of Peoples’ Project – the RRN is administered by the museum. The Program Sponsor is responsible for all budgets within the Museum's Renewal Project including that for the RRN.
Who pays for the RRN Development?
The Museum of Anthropology finances the RRN Development through the Partnership of Peoples Grants funded by the
- Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) (2002)
- British Columbia Knowledge Development Fund (BCKDF) (2005)
- The Koerner Foundation
- The University of British Columbia
- The UBC Faculty of Arts
- The Museum of Anthropology
- Joseph Wosk
- Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
RECIPROCAL NETWORKING
How do originating communities interact through the
RRN?
The RRN is accessible over the internet, therefore community members can directly communicate with museum staff, researchers and other RRN members around the world. They can retrieve and, conversely, contribute knowledge. An important RRN goal is to protect sensitive cultural information – the RRN respects these values and beliefs by limiting or denying access to images that have been identified as such. The RRN will install three dedicated workstations in each co-developer community.
What are some of the technological benefits to the communities?
- It is important for First Nations to be partners in the development of new technologies.
- Community access to RRN content is ensured.
- Community members are able to contribute content.
- Access to technology is easy and inviting.
- Using the RRN will demonstrate the benefits of technology for heritage research.
What are some of the benefits of community participation?
The RRN intention is to correct misleading information and to establish a positive perception of cultural heritage in museums around the world by:
- Adding original language terms to objects
- Properly naming and identifying objects and documents that are now incorrectly identified
- Studying and recording documents in the original language they were written in
WORKING GROUPS
What is required in the Working Group Governance?
- Review framework, research guidelines and governance discussion documents drafted by the RRN Steering Group. MOA offers administrative support.
- Discuss role of RRN Advisory Board that will monitor operation following the RRN launch.
What is required in the Working Group Research Model?
- Advise and discuss research model.
- Advise and discuss research guidelines for the RRN user – not the partner institutions.
- The guidelines will adhere to national and international standards and legislation.
- MOA prepares the working papers and provides administrative support.
What is required in the Working Group Functional Requirements?
- Will look at the functional requirements for the RRN.
- Advise and discuss working papers prepared by MOA.
What is required in the Working Group Cross Systems?
- Will look at folksonomy and collection terms.
- Will look at cross systems and interfacing.
- Advise and discuss working papers prepared by MOA.
- Add own requirements and ideas – perhaps use in own institution.
What is required in the Working Group IT?
- Work with functional requirements and cross system group.
- Advise and discuss working papers prepared by MOA.
- Seek advice from own insititutions regarding IT.
Back
to Top
