O2HeN2
05-17-2023, 20:22
Dear Xxxxx,
In the 1970s, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science created the North American Indian Cultures (NAIC) Hall. Despite collaboration with Indigenous representatives during its creation and ongoing efforts by curators, conservators, and others to update and improve various parts of the Hall, we acknowledge that it remains problematic. We understand that the Hall reinforces harmful stereotypes and white, dominant culture.
This summer, we will be closing the Hall. To acknowledge the harm we have caused, we have developed and agreed upon a healing statement in collaboration with Indigenous consultants, and with input and guidance from conversations with community members. The statement was crafted after taking into account the concerns expressed by the community, and in direct response to those concerns.
The linked healing statement (https://mcusercontent.com/241da86c37c138eef3c4db3c0/files/92a783c4-aaec-7da4-32d0-cf23bbc62fd2/NAIC_Statement.pdf) has been installed at the front of the Hall. Visitors are invited to share feedback using a QR code located on the statement which will remain in place after it closes and will be available on our website at DMNS.org.
Together with Indigenous community members, we will reimagine exhibition curation, collecting, programming and conservation practices with respect to Indigenous culture, heritage and belongings. We recognize that there is more work to be done, and we are committed to working with, and for, community members as we move forward in reimagining our practices.
We welcome questions and further discussion, and encourage you to reach out to us at members@dmns.org.
Sincerely,
Liz Davis
What these idiots don't realize that that the history they're erasing isn't being replaced by any history at all, and through some tortured logic they think that's better.
Native Americans? What Native Americans?
Or, as the relatively new joke goes: "They got rid of an Indian woman, a black woman and a black man so the only person left is an old, white male."* And that's somehow more equitable?
O2
* Land O Lakes, Aunt Jemima, Uncle Ben's and Quaker Oats.
In the 1970s, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science created the North American Indian Cultures (NAIC) Hall. Despite collaboration with Indigenous representatives during its creation and ongoing efforts by curators, conservators, and others to update and improve various parts of the Hall, we acknowledge that it remains problematic. We understand that the Hall reinforces harmful stereotypes and white, dominant culture.
This summer, we will be closing the Hall. To acknowledge the harm we have caused, we have developed and agreed upon a healing statement in collaboration with Indigenous consultants, and with input and guidance from conversations with community members. The statement was crafted after taking into account the concerns expressed by the community, and in direct response to those concerns.
The linked healing statement (https://mcusercontent.com/241da86c37c138eef3c4db3c0/files/92a783c4-aaec-7da4-32d0-cf23bbc62fd2/NAIC_Statement.pdf) has been installed at the front of the Hall. Visitors are invited to share feedback using a QR code located on the statement which will remain in place after it closes and will be available on our website at DMNS.org.
Together with Indigenous community members, we will reimagine exhibition curation, collecting, programming and conservation practices with respect to Indigenous culture, heritage and belongings. We recognize that there is more work to be done, and we are committed to working with, and for, community members as we move forward in reimagining our practices.
We welcome questions and further discussion, and encourage you to reach out to us at members@dmns.org.
Sincerely,
Liz Davis
What these idiots don't realize that that the history they're erasing isn't being replaced by any history at all, and through some tortured logic they think that's better.
Native Americans? What Native Americans?
Or, as the relatively new joke goes: "They got rid of an Indian woman, a black woman and a black man so the only person left is an old, white male."* And that's somehow more equitable?
O2
* Land O Lakes, Aunt Jemima, Uncle Ben's and Quaker Oats.