When You Were Mine: (Re)Telling History at the National Museum of the American Indian

Abstract

The opening of the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian in September 2004 was undeniably a landmark event in the relationship between the United States and Native Americans. The NMAI gave Indians a coveted place on the National Mall and, for a people who see their perceived invisibility as a major obstacle to social justice, this was a major triumph. More than a million visitors a year have toured the museum, and however we judge the effectiveness of NMAI's exhibitions and programs, Indians are more visible today than they were before. The new museum also made bold claims about charting new ways of thinking about museums, audience, and civic engagement. How do we assess the NMAI 10 years later? And what will it look like in another 10 years?