TRIBAL ARCHIVIST RECEIVES MEDAL OF HONOR

AKWESASNE– Sheree Bonaparte, Historic Preservation Officer for the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, was awarded a “Guardian of Language, Memory, and Lifeways Medal of Honor” today at the National Conference of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums in Oklahoma City, Okla. Bonaparte was recognized for her work as a Native archivist and for her commitment to the preservation of Mohawk culture.

The Guardian of Language, Memory, and Lifeways Medals are presented to distinguished individuals and organizations that have contributed significantly to advancing tribal cultural preservation. The medals of honor are meant to acknowledge and encourage activities of the highest quality and to call attention to worthy individuals.

Past Principle Chief of the Cherokee Nation and Honorary Conference Chair, Wilma Mankiller presented Ms. Bonaparte with the Medal for Archival Work. Mankiller said, “I honor you and congratulate you for making the choice to build on your role as a ‘cultural keeper.’ Nothing is more important to ensuring tribal heritage than the essential role you play.”

The awards committee stated that “Ms. Bonaparte is honored as a ‘Guardian of Language, Memory, and Lifeways” recipient given her passionate commitment to ensuring that all ethnic groups safeguard their records and take ownership of their own histories.”

Sheree “Peachy” Bonaparte, a dedicated mother of 10, is a certified archivist. She has served as archivist for the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and was the head archivist for the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of the American Indian. She is a member of the First Archivists Circle and the Native American Roundtable of the Society of American Archivists. She received her Master’s in Library and Information Science from the University of California, Berkeley.

Bonaparte served as a presenter at three sessions at the national conference including: “Establishing a Tribal Archives and Records Center; Feeding the Fire: Inspirational Thoughts on Finding and Maintaining Support for Tribal Archives; and Native American Protocols for Libraries, Archives, and Information Services.”  She also led a conversation at the conference entitled “Advocating Archives.”

The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council praised Sheree for her unwavering commitment to Mohawk culture and language and for her efforts both at the Tribe and in the field. “We are very fortunate to have Sheree working in Akwesasne on behalf of our people and community.  She is knowledgeable, talented and brings a wealth of experience to her position.  The award is a reflection of the importance of maintaining your culture and applying it to your work. We're very proud of her accomplishments and the recognition she has received is well deserved.”

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