The Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums Conference with Victoria Fajardo

Victoria Fajardo, BAVC Media’s Preservation Technician & Audio Specialist, attended the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries and Museums (ATALM) Conference last October. She shared her insights and highlighted the importance of preserving Indigenous culture through archival practices, community involvement, and technology.

What were your biggest takeaways from the conference?

My biggest takeaways from the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums Conference were centered around the importance of preserving Indigenous culture through archival practices, the need for community involvement in these processes, and the evolving role of technology in facilitating access to these resources. It was clear that tribal communities are leading efforts to reclaim their history and narratives, which is empowering and essential for cultural sovereignty. I also appreciated the discussions around the balance between traditional knowledge and modern methodologies, ensuring that both are respected and integrated. 

Overall, ATALM reminded me that media preservation is not a one-time act; it is a continuous process rooted in responsibility, respect, and the ongoing relationship between the past, present, and future. Through collaboration with other tribes and communities, we are strengthening our collective voice, ensuring that our audiovisual heritage remains a living part of our culture and continues to empower our people and reflects the deep connection many Native communities have with their heritage and the importance of preserving it in a way that aligns with cultural practices and sovereignty. I’m incredibly grateful to have been a scholarship recipient to attend the conference, and I truly appreciate the support from my organization and team in making this opportunity possible. It was an amazing experience to connect with people from all over the world. I’m also so thankful for the chance to support the Community Archiving Workshop (CAW) and volunteer with the organizers—an experience that was both fulfilling and inspiring. 

Were there any sessions, speakers, or conversations that particularly resonated with you?

The Indigenous Visions Emerging Producers session and screening was one of the most powerful and resonant moments for me at the conference. This event truly highlighted the incredible depth of Native storytelling through media, whether it was archival footage, contemporary films, podcasts, or other forms of digital media. What stood out was how these emerging producers are using their craft to not only share their personal and community stories but to also challenge and reshape the narratives surrounding Indigenous peoples.

The screening was a celebration of Native voices, showing the strength of contemporary Indigenous media makers in the realm of film, digital media, and archival work. What was especially inspiring was how these emerging producers are blending traditional storytelling with modern tools, creating a unique and dynamic way to preserve and share Indigenous cultures. It wasn’t just about showcasing their work—it was about creating a platform for Native stories to be told by Native people, in their own voice and on their own terms.

The way this screening incorporated archival footage was particularly impactful, showing how past and present media can coexist to tell a fuller, more nuanced story of Indigenous experiences. Whether it was through intimate family recordings, historic documentaries, or the stories shared through podcasts, it emphasized the importance of protecting and amplifying Indigenous knowledge and culture for future generations. This session really reinforced the idea that media is a powerful tool for cultural preservation and for reclaiming our Indigenous narratives. 

It also felt like a crucial step toward empowering the next generation of Native filmmakers and producers, giving them the recognition and support they need to continue shaping the media landscape. The conversations around these films, podcasts, and projects were a reminder of how essential it is for Indigenous communities to have control over their own stories and to create media that is reflective of their values, struggles, and triumphs. It was truly a celebration of Native resilience and creativity in the media world. It was truly a pleasure to meet and connect with everyone during this session and to share the work we do at BAVC!

How did attending ATALM personally impact your perspective on preservation work?

Attending the ATALM conference had a great impact on my perspective on preservation work. It deepened my understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities Indigenous communities face in safeguarding our cultural heritage. The discussions emphasized how crucial it is to approach preservation with respect for tradition and community involvement, rather than solely through an academic or institutional lens. 

Preservation is not just a technical task, but an act of empowerment—where the community’s voice and authority in telling their own story is central. The conference also highlighted the importance of creating spaces for collaboration across different communities and institutions, ensuring that preservation work truly reflects the values and needs of the people it serves. It reaffirmed my commitment to a more inclusive and accessible approach to preservation.

How does  ATALM contribute to the field of audiovisual preservation?

ATALM plays a vital role in the preservation of audiovisual materials from a Native lens by recognizing that our stories, songs, and cultural expressions are not just artifacts but living, sacred elements of our identity. The conference brings forward the understanding that preservation isn’t just about keeping things in a vault—it’s about ensuring that our voices, languages, and histories are honored and accessible for future generations in a way that aligns with our values and ways of knowing. It emphasized the want for our audiovisual materials to be preserved with the same care and respect that we give to oral traditions. 

The focus on community-driven projects helps us protect and control our cultural heritage, while also navigating the complexities of new technologies and formats. We know that our stories and teachings are meant to be shared, but on our terms, ensuring that they are passed down in a way that reflects our worldview and sovereignty.

ATALM reminded me that media preservation is not a one-time act; it is a continuous process rooted in responsibility, respect, and the ongoing relationship between the past, present, and future. Through collaboration with other tribes and communities, we are strengthening our collective voice, ensuring that our audiovisual heritage remains a living part of our culture and continues to empower our people and reflects the deep connection many Native communities have with their heritage and the importance of preserving it in a way that aligns with cultural practices and sovereignty.

How do you see the work at BAVC Media aligning with the themes or goals of ATALM?

The work at BAVC Media aligns closely with ATALM’s goals by recognizing that media preservation is not just about digitizing a/v materials, it’s about protecting and maintaining the integrity of stories, histories, and voices in a rapidly changing world. Both ATALM and BAVC  understand that audiovisual materials—whether film, video, audio recordings, or digital content—are vital carriers of language, traditions, ceremonies, and memories that are deeply tied to a community’s identity. BAVC Media’s focus on media preservation directly supports ATALM’s mission by helping Indigenous communities preserve fragile, at-risk audiovisual materials. Ultimately, media preservation is an act of cultural resilience. 

Both BAVC Media and ATALM recognize that preserving audiovisual media is not just about saving images and sounds; it’s about ensuring that Indigenous peoples continue to have ownership of their past, present, and future. Beyond preservation, BAVC’s work aligns with ATALM in its commitment to uplifting emerging media makers, such as Indigenous filmmakers and podcast creators. Through training, resources, and technical support, BAVC empowers the next generation of media makers, helping them elevate voices in a variety of platforms, from documentaries to podcasts to feature films. BAVC is not only preserving history but also amplifying contemporary Indigenous voices, ensuring that the stories of today are being told and heard on their own terms. By supporting both the preservation of historical media and the work of emerging media creators, these organizations are helping Indigenous communities maintain a vibrant, dynamic, and empowered presence in the media world.

How did the conference address the intersection of preservation and Indigenous knowledge and culture?

The conference addressed the intersection of preservation and Indigenous knowledge and culture by emphasizing the importance of community-led efforts that honor both traditional practices and modern preservation methods. It was stressed that preservation is about protecting the cultural meaning and context of Indigenous knowledge and ensuring it is passed on in ways that reflect the values of the community. Indigenous knowledge, often shared through oral traditions, ceremonies, and other cultural practices, requires approaches that respect its living, evolving nature. A key focus was rematriation—the process of returning cultural items, knowledge, and traditions to the communities from which they originated. ATALM works to not only preserve materials but to ensure that they are returned to their tribes and peoples, reinforcing the importance of Indigenous peoples reclaiming what was taken from them, whether that’s physical objects, recordings, or footage. 

What role do you see community-based archives playing in the broader field of preservation?

Community-based archives play a crucial role in the broader field of preservation by ensuring that the cultural, historical, and personal narratives of communities are represented and protected. By focusing on community-led preservation, these archives help reclaim and protect cultural heritage, especially for Indigenous and other historically underrepresented groups. They provide an opportunity for communities to preserve their oral traditions, artwork, documents, and audiovisual materials in ways that are culturally relevant and appropriate. Community-based archives also help ensure that knowledge is passed down in a meaningful way, guided by the needs and values of the community, rather than being subjected to the biases or limitations of external institutions.

In the broader preservation field, these archives contribute to a more inclusive and diverse record of history. They offer a model for how archives can be more responsive to the communities they serve, and they highlight the importance of cultural sovereignty in preservation work. Additionally, community-based archives often foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing, connecting different communities to resources, expertise, and each other. This approach strengthens the preservation field by pushing it toward more equitable and culturally sensitive practices, ultimately helping to ensure that all histories, especially those of marginalized groups, are recognized and preserved for future generations.

Is there anything you wish more people in the field knew about the work happening at  ATALM?

One thing I wish more people in the field knew about the work happening at ATALM is how deeply rooted it is in the principles of cultural sovereignty, history, and community empowerment. ATALM is not just about archival practices or preservation techniques; it’s about ensuring Indigenous communities have the tools, knowledge, and support to control their own narratives and to reclaim their heritage. 

Another important aspect is the collaborative environment ATALM fosters. It’s not just a conference or a space for learning—it’s a place for Indigenous communities to connect, share resources, and collectively advance preservation efforts across tribes. This collaborative spirit helps build a strong network where communities can learn from one another and develop solutions together, which is especially powerful when it comes to preserving cultural knowledge that is often vulnerable or at risk of being lost.

Finally, ATALM emphasizes the significance of integrating modern technology with traditional knowledge systems. The work being done there shows how digital preservation tools can complement oral traditions and ceremonial practices, allowing Indigenous communities to protect their stories and knowledge in ways that respect cultural protocols. It’s a model of how to approach preservation with respect, care, and a deep understanding of the community’s needs, ensuring that the process is both effective and culturally appropriate.

Overall, I think many in the field might not fully grasp how ATALM is shaping the future of cultural preservation in ways that are Indigenous-led, community-focused, and deeply aligned with the values of cultural continuity, sovereignty, and celebration of our resilience .

– Victoria Fajardo, Cucapá native residing on the unceded Ancestral homeland of the Ramaytush Ohlone peoples, who are the original inhabitants of the San Francisco Peninsula