By Corvo Rohwer, Puyallup Tribal News
The Washington State History Museum cut the ribbon on a new permanent exhibit titled, “This is Native Land,” on Oct. 18, sharing artwork, teachings and interactive objects from more than 100 Native contributors.
Washington State Historical Society Director Nick Vann said the exhibit includes representation from more than 60 Tribes across the northwest, and expressed his excitement about the opening.
“We’ve really embraced the ideal of centering Native voices and making sure that we are understanding Tribal sovereignty,” Vann said. “We’re also practicing and understanding traditions, the customs that have been with us in our communities since time immemorial and will be in perpetuity. We also recognize the sovereignty of Indigenous knowledge keepers, our Elders and community voices.”
The exhibit features a wide range of content, including multi-media interviews and stories, art pieces, documents, photos and interactive elements that focus not just on the past, but the present and future of Tribal cultures.
Co-curated by Puyallup Tribal Member Dr. Danica Sterud Miller and Todd Clark (Wailaki-Round Valley Indian Tribes), the exhibit features both traditional and contemporary displays of Washington’s Native cultures.
“When we began this work, we worked with Elders and representatives from Tribes from all over the state, and they all said the same thing: tell the truth,” Sterud Miller said. “The truth, however, isn’t only the horrors of settler colonialism, the legacy of boarding schools and the constant encroachment on our sovereign rights. The truth is also our resistance, our joy and our commitment to our communities. … These stories are about yesterday, today, and just as important, tomorrow.”
Puyallup Tribal Council Chairman Bill Sterud and Heritage Division Manager Connie McCloud (sɫupayqʷuʔ) were also invited to speak before the ribbon was cut, sharing their thoughts and perspectives on the new exhibit.
“This is a place that congregates the ancestors,” McCloud said. “When I come here, I always feel the welcoming presence because they have stories to be told. They still have voices to share, and they have plenty more songs to sing and so many more dances to share with our young people.”
Chairman Sterud followed up by thanking all of the contributors from both the museum and the community who made the exhibit possible, and extended his gratitude to all of the attendees, as well.
“Thank you for all of the things that we have gathered here, or that we may have borrowed, or that we may have even taken a picture of,” Sterud said. “This is life right here. This is history, this is our world.”
The opening ceremony concluded with songs from the band LOZEN, with the ribbon cutting following shortly after, granting guests access to the brand-new exhibit. “This is Native Land” is a permanent exhibition at the Washington State History Museum, and can be visited at any date and time the museum is open. For more information about the exhibit or the museum, visit www.washingtonhistory.org.
