The Future is Indigenous : Stories from the new Native North America Hall at the Field Museum

Abstract

In 2018, the Field Museum embarked on a four-year renovation of its Native North American Hall. Partnership with the Native American community was a central focus of this project, culminating in the new permanent exhibition, Native Truths: Our Voices, Our Stories. This edited volume delves into the collaborative journey of the exhibition, presenting perspectives on its major themes and the processes by which it was created. The contributors, including members of the exhibition’s Native American Advisory Committee, offer a transformative perspective on museum curation, highlighting the shift towards practice which involves and honors Indigenous communities. They explore the intersection of contemporary Indigenous theory and museum practice, weaving together the fundamental concepts underpinning Native American worldviews and contemporary concerns, and the challenges faced in bringing about a major exhibition that centers Native American collaboration. The text is enriched by personal accounts from Indigenous artists and community members, and showcases visual highlights from the exhibition installations.