National Museum of the American Indian, Washington, D.C

National Museum of the American Indian, Washington, D.C

The National Museum of the American Indian, which is an integral part of the Smithsonian Museums, prides itself as the institution which seeks to advance the culture and history of the Native Cultures.  The institution is keen on developing an understanding and knowledge of native western hemisphere cultures. In doing so, the museum covers the past, present, and future culture of these peoples through partnerships from the community. The goal of the museum is to work, promote and support native life’s cultural continuance, traditional values as well as transition to the present.

In its operations, the Museum seeks to capture and reflect the viewpoint of the natives is all its undertakings.[i]  This is reflected in its building, exhibitions, as well as their public programs. The mission of the museum is to ensure that they recognize the cultural achievements of the native community in the past as well as in the present and to affirm them. Consultation, cooperation, and collaboration with the native community members ensure that all the aspects of the native community are represented adequately.  Although the museum undertakes various different exhibits, they have three displays that are permanent in the museum based on their goal to share information on the traditions of the natives,  their identities in contemporary society, as well as the one that empowers and gives voice to the members of the community.[ii] The museum differs from past endeavors because other than merely trying to tell the story of the community as a whole; it takes various themes such as treaties, religion, guns, and conflict in schools showing the impact they have across the different cultural boundaries.  The museum is thus the home of one of the most extensive collections of objects from the native community as well as media and photographs

Museum Architecture

The architecture of DC’s Museum of American Indians is very elaborate and breathtaking.  Being the product of Native architects, the Museum captures and brings together various Native American elements.[iii]  The building has a curvilinear structure and makes use of limestone material as the primary construction ingredient. These elements were chosen to accurately resemble the work of nature over thousands of years as winds water would form rocks[iv]

The museum is also surrounded by indigenous landscaping, which is primarily meant to offer the visitor a Native American sense and spirit.  The simulated wetland creates a different atmosphere from another museum by making the environment flow into the building.  It brings to life Native American spirituality into the fore with the organic flow

How the Museum Fosters a better understanding of the native people

The National Museum of the American Indian differs from other museums based on its attempt to correctly represent the culture and identity of the native people in the past, present, and future.  On the one hand, this is achieved through collaboration, cooperation, and partnership with the native communities.  For the museum to correctly represent the traditional values, the cultural continuance as well as the transitions, they give voice to the native people to tell their stories.

The museum provides a better understanding of the native people by incorporating their viewpoints in their whole operations.[v] This can be seen even in the design of the building, which was done by native architectures.  Further, to share knowledge and underdoing of the community, the museum has on permanent exhibition materials on native traditions, native contemporary identities as well as exhibits from the native people that tell their stories.

Native Art

The Native American community has a wide variety of art. An example of cultural art is the Navajo rug weaving. A craft that they believed came from the gods; Navajo weaving took many different forms from dresses, blankets, and rugs.[vi]  Over the years, the years, the native’s craft has gained sophistication as yarns changed from the natural made to wool span to today’s prized Navajo Churro wool

These items have high regard and have been sought after for years for purposes of trade. It played a critical role in the economy of the community through its commercial production. The different facets of the Navajo textiles are its geometric shapes. The Navajo rugs and blankets are very colorful and are considered some of the best textile products from the region of North America

Contemporary Native American Artist

The Native American community has a great appreciation of the environment. These elements are captured in their works of art and are also part of the contemporary artists’ signature. Peter Boome is an example of a contemporary Native American artist who has adopted these elements in their work.[vii]  As an artist, Boome makes use of various forms of mediums, with graphic works being his recent focus.

Boomer’s special works are serigraphs that are hand-pulled. The artist works on these works and prints designs he has worked and developed originally. However, as a printer, the artist works with numerous other artists printing their design. As a champion for tribal art, Boome roots his work in traditional historical designs and seeks to ensure that his art is a reflection of his culture, world view, and personal reflection.

Boomer is a proud artist who takes ownership of his art and culture.  In his statement concerning art, he acknowledges that art is everywhere and a part of everyday life. He, however, admits that it is distinguished ad unique from one culture to the other.  As a Coast Salish Artist., Boome believes that art and culture are intertwined, and they both change over time and give rise to new elements. He further argues that the utilization of art is similar to that of culture, and it’s a guide. Therefore as an artist who sought to represent his culture, he had a moral obligation to respect and conduct his art with utmost care. With art, the past is given its due respect, the present a correct representation while a good foundation was laid out for the future.

Reference

[i] Doyle, Debbie Ann, “National Museum of the American Indian Opens in Washington, D.C.” Nov 1, 2004, Available at https://www.historians.org/publications-and-directories/perspectives-on-history/november-2004/national-museum-of-the-american-indian-opens-in-washington-dc

[ii] ibid

[iii] Washington DC, “Visiting the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC, Available at https://washington.org/dc-guide-to/smithsonian-national-museum-american-indian

[iv] ibid.

[v] Supra note 1

[vi] Nizhoni Ranch Gallery, “History of Navajo Weaving” available at https://www.navajorug.com/pages/history-of-navajo-weaving

[vii] Steinbrueck Native Gallery, “Peter Boome,” 2020 Available at https://steinbruecknativegallery.com/peter-boome/