Exploited as a “Tonto.”
Slate has a story about the new National Museum of the American Indian and how it (in it’s opinion) completely fails to actually do it’s job as educator and is instead an indulgent “romance”.
“The new museum stubbornly refuses to impose any recognizable standard of scholarship, or even value, on the items in its galleries. Precious artifacts are mingled with present-day kitsch, with few if any clues provided about what makes them significant. The museum’s curators regard the very notion of a Native American cultural heritage as anathema because it clashes with the museum’s boosterish message that Native American culture is as vibrant today as it ever was. This isn’t a museum; it’s a public service announcement.” – Timothy Noah
There seems to be a certain whiff of a “Dances With Wolves” degradation in the proceedings. Even the Native architect Douglas Cardinal had major trouble with the Smithsonian and had this to say about his treatment.
“Cardinal today remains intransigent and inconsolable. He had to dismiss many loyal employees. He has often said he felt he had been exploited as a “Tonto.” He hasn’t gotten much credit for his work, which was crucial in every way to the building’s aesthetic success. His central role is hidden in a mountain of the museum’s opening press materials.”
For more on his views go to his website.
AIM and other Native Americans have also come forward with criticism of the museum.
“I visited the museum on Tuesday and there wasn?t much and there is so much to be told,” AIM National Executive Director Clyde H. Bellecourt told the Native American Times. “They should have a wall to speak about the holocaust of the tribes who disappeared. They don?t say who was responsible for it. Our history is not being told.”
The critics are also quick to point out that Washington DC is also home to the Redskins, so maybe we shouldn’t be too surprised by the shortcomings of the museum.
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