UW loses proponent of indigenous perspectives

Kayla Webley
2005-01-25
The Daily

Ending a 34-year career in the world of museums and a 40-year career at the UW, including years spent as a graduate student during the mid-1960s, professor James Nason retired at the end of last quarter.

Daniel Hart, a professor in American Indian studies (AIS) department, was concerned about Nason's retirement because it meant a loss of a minority faculty member.

"One way that Jim's voice is going to be missed right now is that the UW is going through a horrible period of being able to attract faculty of color," said Hart. "Whenever a strong indigenous leader is lost at an institution that's going to be felt."

Of American Indian descent, Nason has a passion for the American Indian community and culture. He began his career at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture as a graduate student. He went on to head the anthropology civision and become curator in Pacific and American Ethnology for the museum.

"There's nothing like 20 or 30 years of experience to make you an expert," said Roxana Augusztiny, acting director of the Burke Museum. "He learned a great deal on the job and he had a personal interest from his early days in museums."

He was a co-founder and co-chair of UW's AIS program, created in 1970. Nason also served as director of the program from 1991 to 1997.

"In terms of the creation of the center for American Indian studies [Nason] was responsible for ... it being its own entity," said Hart. "That would not have happened without Jim's leadership."

During his years of teaching, Nason filled several positions across a range of departments. He served as a professor in the department of anthropology. He was an adjunct professor in the AIS program and a faculty associate in the Canadian studies program. Of the 41 different courses Nason taught, he created 33.

"[Nason] has always been a strong advocate for an indigenous perspective at the University," Hart said. "His voice will sorely be missed."

Nason founded the graduate museology program in 1972 and served as its director for the next 13 years. He also created a certificate in museum studies through the UW Extension Program.

"He professionalized the museum profession," said Augusztiny, who was a student in Nason's first museum studies course in 1972. "He really was the person that people looked to for guidance."

Before he left, Nason prepared a pool of people able to continue his work.

"An awful lot of people are indebted to him," said Augusztiny. "He trained so many people."