Sustaining an authentic community partnership through the Fort St. Joseph archaeological project

ABSTRACT When community partners authorize investigations and interpretations of heritage sites, there is an increased likelihood that the needs and desires of various stakeholders will diverge. Further complications arise when natural forces threaten site integrity, making it incumbent on heritage professionals to reach reasoned decisions in the interest of the public good while balancing research and preservation needs. Community partnerships succeed when they contain the tensions between competing goals among partners. How do heritage professionals enter into and sustain large-scale, multi-year projects in the face of opposing demands, some of which come into conflict with ethical principles like site conservation? The Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project suggests how navigating these turbulent waters can lead to sustainable practices with long-term mutual benefits. By preserving the past for the future at Fort St. Joseph, we aim to sustain the results of our investigations for future generations.