Museums worldwide are wrestling with questions about the representation of indigenous people in museum exhibits. Who decides how a culture is portrayed? Does context matter? What happens when members of the community speak out against museum exhibits?

The U-M Exhibit Museum of Natural History has a set of 14 dioramas depicting Native American cultures. The dioramas are now almost 50 years old and are long-time favorites of many museum visitors. But both Native and non-Native visitors have eloquently spoken out against them.

After years of trying to reconcile these differences through changes to the exhibits and new educational programs, the Museum has decided to take them off display in January 2010. This decision was guided by the University’s and the Exhibit Museum’s dedication to advancing scholarship and best practices, collaboration, and support of our diverse community.

An interpretive exhibit overlay, Native American Dioramas in Transition, will be on view from September 12, 2009 through January 4, 2010. The display explains some of the concerns about the dioramas, discusses new ways of learning about Native cultures, and provides an opportunity for comment.  You can listen and watch Museum Director Amy Harris discuss the issues by viewing this video.<http://www.ns.umich.edu/podcast/video.php?id=1162>

Numerous public educational events will be offered as part of the 2009-10 LSA Theme Year, “Meaningful Objects: Museums in the Academy,” to explore issues around the representation of indigenous peoples in museums.

Explore these web pages to learn more about the changes at the Exhibit Museum and visit the  2009-2010 Museums Theme Year web site to learn more about upcoming programs and exhibitions.