Topic: Land Acknowledgments and Decolonization

Speaker: Laurie Egan-Hedley

Have “land acknowledgments” and “decolonization” got you confused and frustrated?  Have you been told to craft a land acknowledgement and you need help?  Do you have a land acknowledgement and wonder what to do next?  Is decolonization even possible?  These are important to discuss, but don’t let these become insurmountable hurdles towards meaningful collaboration with Native People.  Laurie Egan-Hedley will walk and talk us through these paradigm shifts and pendulum swings, and how Barona Museum is instrumental in helping others put a pin in these and also move forward with meaningful collaboration.

Laurie Egan-Hedley is the Director/Curator at Barona Cultural Center & Museum on the Barona Band of Mission Indians’ Reservation, a position she has enjoyed for 15 years.  With a Master’s Degree in Anthropology and Museum Studies and over 26 years of museum experience, Laurie is passionate about education, interpretation, voice, representation, and equity.  With strong community-centered beliefs and values, Laurie previously served on the San Diego Museum Council Board of Directors and currently serves on the boards of Western Museums Association and the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce.  Through her work at Barona Museum, Laurie has earned the Institute for Museum and Library Services’ National Medal in 2019, the Association for Tribal Archives, Libraries and Museums’ Guardian of Culture Award in 2020, the Association for State and Local History’s Award of Excellence in 2022, and most recently, the Association for State and Local History’s Award of Excellence and History in Progress award in 2023.  She enjoys teaching and spending time with her family.