Our Prairie’s Collections Manager, Rebekah Furey, Collections Assistant, Rina Sim, and Educational Curriculum Specialist, Zoe Morgan join Easton to talk about museums (which we love!). Museums are beautiful places where stories can be told from across the globe and inspire curiosity in guests of all ages. However, when we look back at the history of museums, we find that many began as wonder shows for the wealthy to share their plunder from their respective “Ages of Exploration.” Museums today have a choice to decolonize their halls. Increasing diversity at all levels of museum employment, repatriation of objects to the Native American Nations who rightfully own them, ensuring exhibitions that explore history’s silenced voices are integrated and not segregated- we talk about it all on this journey! 

More information about NAGPRA! 

https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nagpra/index.htm 

Our sources:

Shoenberger, Elisa. “What does it mean to decolonize a museum?” MuseumNext (2023). 

https://www.museumnext.com/article/what-does-it-mean-to-decolonize-a-museum/  

 

Huff, Leah. “MUSEUM DECOLONIZATION: MOVING AWAY FROM NARRATIVES TOLD BY THE OPPRESSORS.” University of Washington (2022). 

https://smea.uw.edu/currents/museum-decolonization-moving-away-from-narratives-told-by-the-oppressors/