Native Americans in British Museums: Living Histories

The British Museum's collections of Native American material culture are of critical cultural importance, but contemporary engagement with Indigenous American visitors and communities is inadequate. This Element highlights the most significant inadequacies and explores why two critical crises, of representation and expertise, are exacerbating these problems. It provides an adaptable policy document to assist museum staff in effectively and respectfully managing their relationships with Indigenous communities and collections.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 75 pages
Publication date: 22 July 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The vast and invaluable collections of Native American material culture housed in museums across Britain hold immense cultural significance. Through a series of interviews conducted with Indigenous American visitors to UK museum displays and collections between 2017 and 2019, this Element aims to shed light on the significant gaps in contemporary engagement with these visitors and communities. It identifies fundamental issues rooted in the ethos of collection management and display, highlighting the urgent need for change.

The two critical crises of representation and expertise, which are exacerbating these problems, are explored in depth. These crises, when combined with Indigenous demands for greater agency in museum processes, can lead to damage to relationships and reputations. The final section of the Element applies these lessons directly, developing an adaptable policy document to assist museum staff in effectively and respectfully managing their relationships with Indigenous communities and collections.

The significance of Native American material culture cannot be overstated. It represents a rich tapestry of history, tradition, and artistic expression that is deeply intertwined with the lives and experiences of these communities. Museums play a crucial role in preserving and sharing this heritage, but their approach to engagement with Indigenous visitors and communities has often fallen short of meeting their needs and expectations.

One of the primary inadequacies of contemporary engagement is the lack of meaningful representation. Native American communities are diverse and complex, with distinct cultures, languages, and customs. Yet, many museum displays and collections fail to reflect this diversity, perpetuating stereotypes and misconceptions. This can lead to feelings of exclusion and disempowerment among Indigenous visitors, who feel that their culture is not valued or understood.

Another issue is the lack of expertise within museum staff. Many museums have historically been dominated by non-Indigenous perspectives, which can lead to misunderstandings and misappropriation of Indigenous cultural practices and knowledge. This can further exacerbate feelings of exclusion and disempowerment among Indigenous visitors, who may feel that their voices and perspectives are not being heard or respected.

To address these challenges, it is essential to develop a more inclusive and respectful approach to engagement with Indigenous communities and collections. This requires a commitment to ongoing learning and education, as well as a willingness to listen and learn from Indigenous perspectives. It also requires a shift in the ethos of collection management and display, away from a focus on preservation and exhibition and towards a more collaborative and participatory approach.

One approach to achieving this is through the development of collaborative partnerships with Indigenous communities. Museums can work with these communities to develop exhibitions and programs that reflect their culture, history, and perspectives. This can involve co-curating exhibitions, providing access to collections, and engaging in ongoing dialogue and consultation.

Another approach is to prioritize the hiring and training of staff who have expertise in Indigenous cultures and histories. Museums can also provide opportunities for Indigenous staff to share their knowledge and perspectives, and to participate in decision-making processes that affect their communities and collections.

In addition to these collaborative approaches, museums can also take steps to address the issue of representation through the use of diverse and accurate imagery and language. This can involve working with Indigenous artists and scholars to create exhibitions and programs that reflect their culture and history accurately and respectfully.

Finally, museums can also prioritize the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives and voices in their programming and decision-making processes. This can involve engaging in ongoing dialogue and consultation with Indigenous communities, and seeking their input on issues that affect their culture and heritage.

In conclusion, the vast and invaluable collections of Native American material culture housed in museums across Britain hold immense cultural significance. However, the lack of meaningful engagement with Indigenous visitors and communities has led to significant gaps in contemporary engagement. To address these challenges, it is essential to develop a more inclusive and respectful approach to engagement, through the development of collaborative partnerships, the prioritization of expertise, and the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives and voices in programming and decision-making processes. By doing so, museums can play a vital role in preserving and sharing this heritage, while also building stronger relationships with Indigenous communities and promoting greater understanding and appreciation of their culture and history.

Weight: 154g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 9 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108829434