facebookpixel
Select Page

Standards for Museums with Native American Collections

The Standards for Museums with Native American Collections (SMNAC) is a comprehensive document for use by museums with Native collections to clarify their roles as stewards and improve the museum field as it relates to Native American peoples, communities, and cultural items. The SMNAC document provides support for institutions to become true community partners, enabling them to connect collections with descendent communities for more meaningful, relevant and culturally sensitive interpretation and documentation. The SMNAC serves to guide all aspects of work within museums holding Native collections, making recommendations for the seven Function Areas as identified by the American Alliance of Museum’s Core Standards: Mission and Planning, Collections Stewardship, Facilities and Risk Management, Education and Interpretation, Leadership and Organizational Structure, Financial Stability, Public Trust and Accountability.

In addition, the SMNAC provides case studies from several institutions that exemplify meaningful collaboration and inclusion. At the end of the document is a list of resources for further exploration and research.

The SMNAC is generously supported by the Anne Ray Foundation with additional support by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian

Click on here to access the Standards for Museums with Native American Collections document

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Download the SMNAC document here
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GOALS OF SMNAC

  • Provide actionable recommendations for Native inclusion;
  • Motivate museums toward collaboration and partnership with Native communities;
  • Emphasize the responsibility and accountability inherent in the stewardship of Native collections and teaching cultural content;
  • Recognize the colonial legacy of museums and provide opportunities to educate about this history and its ongoing impact on Native people;
  • Address the need for cultural sensitivity and competency;
  • Provide support for Native American museum professionals, staff, board members, and volunteers;
  • Inform museums about the unique status of tribal governments and sovereignty;
  • Develop methodologies for working with Native communities

 

CORE GROUP

Tony Chavarria, Curator of Ethnology, Museum of Indian Arts & Culture

Cynthia Chavez Lamar, Director, Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian

Deana Dartt (Facilitator), Principal, Live Oak Consulting

Stacey Halfmoon, Chair, Indigenous Peoples Museum Network

Janine Ledford, Executive Director, Makah Cultural and Research Center

Elysia Poon (Facilitator), Indian Arts Research Center director, School for Advanced Research

Landis Smith, Conservator, Museum of New Mexico

 

CURRENT STATUS

The SMNAC document is currently available for download on this page and will be updated periodically.

Contribute a case study or submit general feedback about this document: iarc@sarsf.org

Let us know if you are interested in guidance for implementation: info@liveoaknative.com