Museums--along with books, newspapers, and Wild West shows in the 19th
century, movies and television in the 20th--have shaped our perceptions
of American Indians. This book brings together six prominent museum
professionals--Native and non-Native--to examine the ways in which
Indians and their cultures have been represented by museums in North
America and to present new directions museums are already taking.
Traditional museum exhibitions of Native American art and culture often
represented only the past, ignoring the living Native voice. Today,
museums have begun to incorporate Native perspectives in their displays.
Even more dramatic is the growth in the number of Indian-run museums.
These essays explore the relationships being forged between museums and
Native communities to create new techniques for presenting Native
American culture. This publication will serve to stimulate the
discussions and analyses that can lead to new partnerships and
collaborations.