Rethinking Americans

On March 7 we traveled to the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) where the topic of the day was “Rethinking Americans” and the afternoon centered around the new Americans exhibit. During our visit we were treated to a behind the scenes look at what some have called one of the most daring exhibits the museum has staged.

We began the afternoon with a tour of the exhibit that was led by Mandy Van Heuvelen, who oversees the Cultural Interpreters unit at NMAI and Michaela Pavlat, Cultural Interpreter.  They reminded us that while Native Americans make up not much more than 1% of the population of the United States,  Native American history and culture are entrenched in American life. This was easy to see as we moved through the main gallery where Fellows were challenged to  consider how what is on view- sometimes powerful and positive, sometimes demeaning and negative-speaks to us about the collective identity of the United States and our own identity as Americans. Side galleries presented the stories of Pocahontas, the Battle of Little Bighorn and the Trail of Tears, with the aim of presenting a more accurate account of stories  that are familiar to all and serve as important parts of our shared American story. The tour ended in the last gallery, where visitors are encouraged to leave comments about their visit, or their own life experiences. This area, which allows for reflection and connection, has proved to be popular, with many visitors writing their thoughts on postcards. A number of these are always on display. Fellows were able to view the current batch, which allowed them to gain some understanding of  the depth and variety of reactions visitors have had.

The afternoon continued back in the conference room, where Paul Chaat Smith, Co-curator of the Americans exhibit provided a brief overview for  the round table discussion that followed. Cecile R. Ganteaume, co-curator of  the exhibit and Colleen Call Smith, Education Specialist, along with Mandy and Michaela, also participated. Questions about representation, gender, language, how to focus each section main goal of exhibit, and strategies used to achieve those goals were posed. Both Paul and Cecile spoke candidly about the challenges presented by an exhibit focused on images rather than objects and the need to work closely with the designers to carry out their vision. They worked from the premise that the average visitor might spend twenty minutes in the exhibit. To this end, the key question becomes: how do you grab someone’s attention such that they connect with what they are seeing in a way that is affirming, but also thought-provoking? Colleen gave on overview of NK360 and the ways in which her team is working to provide lesson plans and guides that extend the museum’s reach to those unable to travel to the Mall. Mandy and Michaela spoke to what they see from visitors as they lead tours and also some of what is being done in their own home states regarding accurately incorporating Native American history into school curricula.  Paul reminded the group that once an exhibit opens, it no longer belongs to the curators who developed it, but instead to the public who visit and engage with it and to the interpreters who lead groups through it.  The discussion was lively, thoughtful and informative. Fellows were quick to acknowledge the potential for using this exhibit with a group of students, and as the afternoon ended, several were making plans for a return visit.