Collaboration in Practice: Transforming Community-Based Research in the Southwest

Focusing on the Chavez Cave collections in Las Cruces, New Mexico, Collaboration in Practice presents a study of the partnership between New Mexico State University and the Zuni Cultural Resource Advisory Team (ZCRAT).Rather than centering on artifact analysis, the authors emphasize the collaborative process itself-visiting the site, curating an exhibition, and co-authoring this volume-as a model for ethical and respectful research. The book situates this collaboration within the broader historical and political context of archaeology and museology.It critically explores how museums and academic institutions can shift from extractive practices to ones that prioritize Indigenous sovereignty, knowledge systems, and cultural continuity.Through personal narratives, historical context, and methodological insights, the authors highlight the challenges and transformative potential of working collaboratively.They show how true collaboration requires humility, mutual respect, and a commitment t