2023-2024 Interns
Rachel Morris
2023-2024 Anne Ray Intern
Rachel Morris (she/her/hers) (Oglala Lakota Nation) comes to the IARC from Durango, Colorado where she completed a bachelor of arts in anthropology with a minor in Native American and Indigenous studies from Fort Lewis College in the spring of 2023. In her final year at Fort Lewis College, Morris served as a student ambassador tasked with making an important first impression on prospective students; she was also selected to fill the role of student representative on the College’s NAGPRA Committee. Morris has previously interned at the Center of Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College and the Denver Art Museum where she gained valuable experience in the Learning and Engagement and Native Arts Departments.
Though primarily interested in museum education and collections management, Morris is looking forward to learning new skills and gaining experiences across museum departments. Once she completes her internship, Morris intends to continue her studies with the goal of working in a small museum or cultural center.
While on campus, Morris will work on registration, collections management, and education/outreach projects. She is also interested in spending time on an independent research project. Morris will be in residence from September 1st, 2023 through May 31st, 2024.
Rachel Morris
Lorna Maie Thomas
2023-2024 Anne Ray Intern
Maie Thomas (she/her/hers) is Kanien’keha:ka (“People of the Flint”/Mohawk) Bear Clan from Akwesasne. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in women’s and gender studies with minors in anthropology, museum studies, and Native studies from SUNY Potsdam. Thomas has previously interned at the Gibson Gallery in Potsdam, New York and received a fellowship at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts. She currently works as the collections care manager at the Six Nations Iroquois Cultural Center in Onchiota, New York as well as the archival assistant at the Kanién’kehá:ka Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkwa Language and Cultural Center in Kahnawake, Quebec.
While at the IARC, Thomas hopes to learn more about Indigenous methodologies for collections care, interpretation, and exhibition with the goal of returning to her community and applying her knowledge and skill set to caring for Indigenous collections in Akwesasne. Thomas believes that “[collections care] has become a way for [her] to honor [her] relatives, take care of their belongings, and share their stories.”
In addition to spending her time on registration, collections management, and education/outreach projects, Thomas hopes to learn more about the administrative side of SAR. She is also interested in taking on an independent research project. Thomas will be in residence from September 1st, 2023, through May 31st, 2024.
Maie Thomas
Colloquium: 2022-2023 Anne Ray Interns
2023-2024 Anne Ray Interns, Rachel Morris and Maie Thomas, will present on their internship experience in the spring of 2024. Check back later for more details!