What is cultural competency and why is it important for those of us working in the heritage sector? By applying the definition of the cultural competency framework as “the ability to function with awareness, knowledge, and interpersonal skill when engaging people of different backgrounds, assumptions, beliefs, values, and behaviors” you remove the limitations of ethnicity, socio-economic status, and more importantly, the “us having to work with them” mentality. Too often, outreach to underserved communities, employing people of color, or criticizing dominant cultures are considered exercises in cultural competency when the trifecta of cognitive (knowledge about other cultures to inform their skills and practice), affective (positive attitudes are needed toward one's own culture(s) as well as the cultural heritage of your colleagues and patrons), and behavioral (ability to adapt and accommodate behaviors to a different culture) are required.

What is remembered, recorded, curated, and interpreted is shaped by culture and as the heritage sectors strive to expand cultures they represent cultural competency is a framework which can significantly facilitate both DEIA goals and increase multicultural participation. This premise promotes the principle that creating organizations that are culturally competent is not an altruistic wish, but rather a pragmatic strategy to ensure our workforce reflects, represents, and is responsive to the communities with whom we collaborate and serve and perhaps more critically, how we shape the historical record. 

There has been an increased acceptance of the framework of Cultural Competency in heritage professions as recognized by several initiatives in the past decade addressing long recognized shortcomings in our professions and the benefits of its principles. Following September 11, the Arab American National Museum (AANM) discovered that professional development and cultural competency training opportunities for law enforcement personnel, educators, health professionals, and government officials dispels myths, alleviates fears, and prepares professionals.

An archivist for University Records at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Helen Wong Smith has over 35 years’ experience in historical repositories in Hawaiʻi. With a B.A. in Hawaiian Studies and MLIS from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, she has held numerous positions including Executive Director of the Kauaʻi Historical Society, Lead Archivist for the Pacific Island Network of the National Park Service, and Librarian/Archivist for the State Historic Preservation Division.

Since delivering a plenary address "Adopting Cultural Diversity Competence" at the Society of American Archivists 2015 Annual Meeting, Helen has been sharing how cultural competency can advance cultural heritage professions across the country.

We are very excited to be offering the new course Cultural Competency beginning in June 2022 that we think will pair well with our very popular Decolonizing Museums in Practice course.