Mukurtu Workshop: Content Management for Culturally Sensitive Materials

Guest Post on Behalf of Dan Swan

We will host a two-day workshop on May 8-9, 2018 at the Sam Noble Museum, University of Oklahoma. The focus of the workshop is an in depth examination of the Mukurtu software system, a proven tool in the management of culturally important and sensitive information and materials.  Mukurtu was developed by Dr. Kim Christen and her team at Washington State University and is available as an open access resource, at no cost. Here is a short description of Mukurtu:

Mukurtu CMS is a content management system that allows communities to preserve, share, manage, license and curate their digital heritage and stories using their own cultural protocols, languages, and social values. Participants will be shown demonstrations and examples of all Mukurtu’s core features and tools including a dictionary and mobile application, as well as examples of Mukurtu in use in communities and institutions, emphasizing preservation strategies, cultural protocols and the use of Traditional Knowledge (TK) Labels. Participants will take part in basic planning, description, and content creation activities.

Presenters at the workshop will include members of the WSU team and representatives from Native American communities who currently use Mukurtu in their cultural and heritage programs. The workshop will incorporate individual presentations, group activities and audience discussion. On May 9th we will conduct a hands-on session to explore current applications of Mukurtu and its potential use in Oklahoma tribal communities. A schedule is attached for your reference. Ample time will be available to discuss ways that Mukurtu can be hosted independently as well as the potential for collaboration between OU and tribal communities.

The workshop, all materials and meals will be provided at no cost through our funding from NEH.  We will provide lodging on May 8th for registered participants. Limited travel assistance is available. Space for this workshop is limited and we encourage individuals currently engaged in the work of tribal historic preservation, museums, archives and language programs to attend the workshop. 

To register please contact Christina Naruszewicz at cjnaruszewicz@ou.edu or 405-325-5481. You may also contact Dan Swan at dcswan@ou.edu with questions