The Denver Museum of Nature and Science’s North American Indian Culture exhibit, which “reinforces harmful stereotypes and white dominant culture,” will be permanently closed this summer, according to an email sent to members by the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. It says.
The exhibition was first established in 1978 with the help of representatives of indigenous peoples. The description of the exhibits is museum website Visitors were able to see “authentically restored dwellings such as Inuit snow houses, Northwest Coast family homes, Navajo hogans and Cheyenne tipis,” it said.
But despite its cooperation, the museum said the exhibits couldn’t avoid an insensitive depiction of Native American culture.
“Within this space, the museum portrays indigenous peoples in dioramas as if they existed only in the past, uses inaccurate names for sovereign states (regardless of government approval), By displaying their possessions without respectful attribution or attribution, they promote racist stereotypes,” the statement, which now stands in front of the exhibit, said.
The museum’s assistant curator of anthropology, Chris Patrero, said the debate over the exhibition’s closure had been going on for some time, but the proposal really gained momentum last year.
“What we decided to do in conjunction with our Indigenous consultants was to hold several listening sessions with members of Denver’s Indigenous community of varying backgrounds and ages to determine what to do about the hall. said Patrero. “Through those conversations, we understood that there are issues with the halls that currently exist and that it is important to consider them.”
Following its closure, the museum plans to work with members of the Indigenous community to rethink its exhibits. Visitors can share their feedback via her QR code outside and on display. museum website.
Patrero said there is no schedule for when the redesigned exhibit will open.
