VISION
There are about 130,000 Inuit in Alaska, Greenland, Canada and Siberia, and they have a long and complex history of culture contact, migrations, and exchange in arctic regions. Iņupiat Heritage Center is a Heritage Center that interprets the natural and cultural heritage of the North Slope region. The institutional setting of IHC is that of a museum in an education institution, administered by Ilisagvik College. The Inupiat of the Arctic Slope were guided by a vision of a facility that houses their artifacts, addresses repatriation, and brings back items that belong to the Inupiat homeland. The people demanded a living cultural resource center where traditional knowledge would bring a better understanding of the Inupiat way of life; present the Inuit philosophy and world view, culture, past and present; and pass on the knowledge of elders to younger generations through education. We envision Iņupiat Heritage Center as a facility that focuses on hands-on, minds-on experiences that foster local pride, a sense of belonging and a strong desire to maintain Inupiat cultural values and philosophy. IHC exhibits, programs, and services will serve as sources of inspiration and creativity. With the cooperation of Inupiat elders, artists, local leaders, and Inuit organizations we will promote Inupiat language, culture and traditions that foster appreciation of the Inupiat way of life.
We envision that within five years Iņupiat Heritage Center will operate in the context of the national policy for museums, with accreditation by the American Association of Museums (AAM), operating on all levels according to the highest and most current professional standards and practices, while fulfilling its obligations to the public as put forth in its mission. Accreditation is important because it will give IHC national recognition. IHC will apply and participate in the Accreditation Program once it meets the program's basic eligibility criteria, which includes meeting the program's definition of a museum and meeting certain operational requirements.
|
