David,

Good point on the Burra Charter. I should probably download and "archive"
most of the charters, as you never know what will come up or go down next.

Not to burden you with the entire text of the Hopi tome, I ask you to review
this tidbit for my edification, since it has not received peer review yet,
except during presentation.

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"The Burra Charter,[22] with its wise emphasis on "cultural significance"
and "place," and its emphasis on the conservation process -- even though
Western -- seems to have been tempered by the Australian reference (while
not quite deference) to Aboriginal needs. Preservationists, through such
efforts, may engender a greater consciousness. But, we cannot do it alone.
Fortunately, Australia may now be claiming such responsibility nationwide.
While Australia grapples with its Western cultural identity--its choice of
staying the monarchy or forming a republic--it is actually more invested in
a reconciliation with its Aboriginal stewards. Recently, Prime Minister
Howard observed, "As I go around Australia, I find a greater unanimity of
support for [constitutional recognition of Aboriginal occupancy] than I do
on the issue of the republic."[23] With such increased national
consciousness, the Burra Charter holds even greater potential. Yet we must
recognize that "cultural significance of place" is in the "I" of the
beholder. It can not be based on the visual perception of voyeurists seeking
to experience, if not appropriate, the integrity and authenticity of other
cultures -- lacking qualities in their own. This "I" of the beholder must be
personified by a tribe's own understanding of its worldview and its relation
to preservation, not ours.

The Historic Scotland Guide to International Conservation Charters, authored
by Dr. D. Bell in 1997, surveyed over seventy statements of conservation
principles. Bell identifies one concept as "Rights of the Indigenous
Community." Dr. Bell, notes, "As yet, though UNESCO and the Council of
Europe refer to the problem, only ICOMOS New Zealand has seriously tackled
the issue." The New Zealand Charter of 1992 recognizes, in part, that
indigenous conservation, "is conditional on decisions made in the indigenous
community, and should proceed only in this context."[24]"

http://gamma.rwu.edu/users/pcm/pub/usicomos.html
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Thanks David,

Good night (er, morning),

Philip
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