Final answer:
Modern applied anthropologists have moved away from seeing their work as part of the colonial enterprise, instead engaging in practices that empower and collaborate with Indigenous communities. Anthropological methods have evolved to be more ethical and inclusive, working on projects that these communities deem important.
Step-by-step explanation:
Most contemporary applied anthropologists do not see their work as closely connected to the colonial enterprise. This is because, over time, the field of anthropology has critically examined its historical connections with colonialism, and modern anthropological practices have evolved to address and mitigate its complicit role in colonial projects.
Applied anthropology now frequently involves collaboration with Indigenous peoples and other communities to focus on projects that are defined and driven by those communities themselves, rather than by external researchers.
Additionally, applied anthropologists often work to empower these communities through culturally sensitive and inclusive research practices, which are the opposite of the colonial usurpation of voice and agency.
Moreover, in attempts to reverse the negative impact of how anthropology has aided colonialism, many tribes have become proactive in their engagement with anthropologists, setting terms and employing the tools of research, such as GIS, to manage and protect their resources and cultural heritage.
These steps indicate a significant shift from older anthropological methods that were enmeshed with colonial power dynamics to more ethical and self-aware practices today.