Displaying the past: representation and interpretation of Native American cultures in several California museums
Graduation Date
1993
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Other
Program
Thesis (M.A.)--Humboldt State University, 1993
Committee Chair Name
Timothy J. McMillan
Committee Chair Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Keywords
Indians of North America--Material culture--California, Northern, Museum techniques, Humboldt State University -- Theses -- Sociology, Ethnological museums and collections--California, Indians of North America--California--Antiquities, Indians of North America--Museums--California
Abstract
Interviews were conducted at thirteen Northern California museums, which were selected because of their Native American collections and programming. The purpose of the field research was to determine the philosophies of the museums in connection with two questions: "Who owns Native American Artifacts" and "Are Native Americans involved in museum programming?" The introduction discusses the current political controversy concerning museum policies of holding artifacts which may have been wrongly taken from other cultures. It was found as a result of the field research that only one of the Northern California museum administrators interviewed felt that the artifacts belonged to the originating culture, and six out of the thirteen museums visited had involved Native American leaders in their interactive programs in the last few years. Various interactive programs are described which show great creativity in the involvement of Native American presenters-- artists, story-tellers, writers, weavers, historians, dancers, and spiritual leaders. The field researcher found an unexpected relationship between the association of museums with colleges or universities and an increased use of Native Americans in high quality museum programming. This relationship can be explored in further research. Recommendations are made to educate museum professionals in the area of political sensitivity to Native American leadership and ownership of artifacts.
Recommended Citation
Gilles, Mary Anne, "Displaying the past: representation and interpretation of Native American cultures in several California museums" (1993). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 1775.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/1775
https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/concern/theses/ww72bd59k