GUIDELINES FOR RESPECTING CULTURAL KNOWLEDGE
Author: A person who creates or originates an idea or work;
not limited to written creations.
Biographical information: Important information that
summarizes a person’s life and work. Generally it
includes information on birth, ethnic heritage, cultural
experiences, education, research, community activities or
any other matters that would be of importance to the
readers.
Clearinghouse: A location or group through which
information or materials regarding a cultural group or
groups is collected and distributed to others.
Consent form: A signed form granting permission for a
person or entity to do research or other activities and
indicating how the work will be performed or published
(see also Release form).
Copyright: A form of legal protection for both published and
unpublished “original works of authorship” (including
literary, dramatic, musical, artistic and certain other
intellectual works), so they cannot be reproduced without
the copyright holders consent. Under current law,
copyright is usually held by an individual or an
organization, though efforts are underway to address the
issue of copyright protection for community-shared
cultural property.
Cultural accuracy: Cultural information that is accepted by
the members of a particular society as being an
appropriate and accurate representation of that society.
Cultural context: The cultural setting or situation in which
an idea, custom, skill or art was created and performed.
Cultural experts: Members of a particular society, with its
own cultural tradition, who are recognized by the rest of
the society as knowledgeable of the culture of that
society, especially in the area of arts, beliefs, customs,
organization and values.
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