Museum’s Update Sends a Message: Native Artists Are Still Here

The de Young museum in San Francisco is undergoing a significant transformation in the way it presents and engages with Native American art and culture. An Indigenous team of scholars and artists has been tasked with rethinking the display of Native objects, aiming to provide a more accurate and respectful representation. The project aims to rebuild the relationship between the museum and Native communities, which have historically been fraught with issues of cultural appropriation and misrepresentation. By involving Indigenous voices in the curatorial process, the museum hopes to create a more authentic and meaningful experience for visitors. The changes include the introduction of new labeling and interpretive materials that provide cultural context and acknowledge the living, evolving nature of Native art and traditions. The museum is also exploring ways to collaborate with Native communities on future exhibitions and programming, ensuring that their perspectives and narratives are at the forefront. This initiative reflects a growing trend in the museum sector to prioritize Indigenous self-representation and to address the industry's complex colonial legacies.