Even before the doors of the Museum of Anthropology (MOA) opened in 1976, a number of volunteers lined up to offer their services.
Drawn by Northwest Coast culture and art, volunteer associates Marise Dutton, Val Gamage, Louise Lupini and others have grown with MOA and contributed to its success.
With 24 years of dedication, Dutton, Gamage and Lupini remain the longest-serving of more than 65 current volunteer associates and shop volunteers who provide services in all areas of the museum, both publicly and behind the scenes.
"It's a unique volunteer opportunity," says Dutton. "The rewards come in so many ways -- educationally and working with professionals. What is important to me is the appreciation by the MOA staff for what we do."
And they've done just about everything. The volunteers have conducted guided tours and organized social events.
The group has thrived on being involved in special research projects including an exhibit on the eulachan, a small, oily fish caught by northern tribes and used for its grease and in trade.
They're currently at work cataloguing new MOA acquisitions and recording photographic information on the collections.
The whole notion of MOA volunteers began in 1975 with a course given by Anthropology Assoc. Prof. Marjorie Halpin entitled "What is a Museum."
"It's very unusual for volunteers to work with collections," says Lupini. "It is because of the museum courses we are required to take and the confidence the professional staff have in us."
Gamage, who took anthropology courses from Harry Hawthorn, the museum's first director, says she feels privileged to be part of MOA.
"I visited the British Museum in London and they were horrified that we are allowed to handle the objects and be a part of it. I realize what a marvelous situation we're in," she says.
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