Statement on Potentially Harmful Content in Archival Collections
The Norwegian American Historical Association (NAHA) is dedicated to discovering, preserving, and interpreting the Norwegian-American experience with accuracy, integrity, and vitality. We provide both physical and digital access to our unique collections, which serve a wide range of purposes, including teaching, research, and learning.
Our collection spans various formats and historical periods, some of which may include language, imagery, or viewpoints that are offensive, harmful, or difficult to engage with. These records are preserved to document lived experiences and historical realities and we recognize that certain materials may reflect outdated, biased, offensive, or even violent perspectives. NAHA does not endorse the views expressed in these materials. Users are encouraged to approach this content with awareness and care.
We are committed to providing context, fostering critical engagement, and supporting respectful use of these materials. To promote understanding, we provide contextual information through descriptive records and, when necessary, include content advisories with digitized materials to acknowledge and address sensitive content.
Concerns regarding specific materials will be reviewed in alignment with NAHA’s mission. Possible responses may include, but are not limited to:
- Retaining the materials online without modification.
- Adding descriptive information to provide historical context.
In rare instances, the removal of materials from online access may be considered. However, NAHA prioritizes access and contextualization, and removal will only be considered under exceptional circumstances.