Pechanga Cultural Resources Department Tribal Archives
January 7, 2021 | Lisa Woodward, Ph.D. (Pechanga Cultural Resource Department Archivist)
Pechanga’s Tribal repository and archive houses cultural objects, audio and visual materials, photographs, and documents. The curation building was designed to meet federal repository guidelines and it also includes a Tribal library with SpaceSaver compact storage and 420 linear feet and fireproof cabinets. The Tribe obtained several Institute of Museum and Library Service (IMLS) grants to assist with purchasing compact shelving, archival quality storage containers, and additional staffing to complete the digitization and cataloging of the items in the collection.
The museum software program PastPerfect is used to catalog the collections, allowing the user to search in multiple fields — objects, photographs, archives, and library — which is especially helpful when creating exhibits and conducting research.
Pechanga’s collection currently contains over one hundred thousand items, with the majority of the books and archives coming from personal collections either purchased or donated to the Tribe. Some of the most important historical documents and photographs in the holdings have come from Tribal Member’s personal collections. These collections frequently contain one-of-a-kind items consisting of Tribal documents, cultural materials, recordings, photos, and family history which often further assist with the identification of people in photographs or events described in documents obtained from outside institutions. Deed of Gift forms are completed for each personal collection shared, even if it is just a scan of the photograph or document. As a steward of the Tribe’s history and culture, a high level of trust with the donor is important to the Department and they are provided the choice to place restrictions on their collections.
Even though Pechanga does not have a museum, small exhibits consisting of cultural items, archival photographs and documents are located in areas such as the Tribal Government building, the Reservation school, and the casino. Joint exhibits with outside museums have provided venues to share Tribal collections with the public. Twice, the Association of Tribal Archives Libraries and Museums (ATALM), a great organization and resource for Tribal communities, has included the Pechanga Cultural Department as one of the field trips for their annual conference. Information and networking opportunities related to the care of Tribal archives and libraries can be found on their website, ATALM.org. The Pechanga Department staff is always available for questions and advice regarding the treatment and storage of personal collections, including objects, sound and video recordings, photographs, and documents.
“Pechanga Archive Boxes” – All archival materials are stored in acid free boxes that can be purchased from museum supply companies such as Gaylord (https://www.gaylord.com/) 
“Archive Storage” – Pechanga opted to install hand operated storage shelving over motorized to avoid issues with downtime related to mechanical failures, repairs, and power outages. 
“FireKing photo” – The Pechanga archives have two FireKing file cabinets in which expensive or irreplaceable items are stored. While they are not cheap, they are rated to withstand a fire for 1-2 hours.
Please contact Lisa Woodward, Archivist (lwoodward@pechanga-nsn.gov) or Myra Masiel-Zamora, Curator (mmasiel@pechanga-nsn.gov) for more information or assistance.
Lisa Woodward earned a Ph.D. in Native American Studies from U.C. Davis and is the Archivist for the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians in the Cultural Resources Department. Working for the Tribe since 2007, Lisa continues to help build the Tribal Archive and participates in many other projects involving language and cultural repatriation efforts.