Native News

The Met appoints first associate curator of
Native American art

New York, NY

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has appointed Patricia Marroquin Norby (Purépecha) its first-ever associate curator of Native American art. Norby joined the staff in mid-September, as part of the American wing, where historical Native American art is now displayed, under the direction of Sylvia Yount, Lawrence A. Fleischman Curator in Charge. Norby previously served at the National Museum of the American Indian’s New York location, as well as at the D’Arcy McNickle Center for American Indian and Indigenous Studies at the Newberry in Chicago. In this new curatorial role, Norby will work on collection development and exhibition programming that places Native arts in focus at the Met.

Smithsonian opens Native veterans memorial

Washington, D.C.

The National Museum of the American Indian, a Smithsonian institution, opened the National Native American Veterans Memorial on November 11, located on the museum grounds. The memorial, designed by multimedia artist Harvey Pratt (Cheyenne/Arapaho), was commissioned by Congress to give “all Americans the opportunity to learn of the proud and courageous tradition of service of Native Americans in the Armed Forces of the United States.”

NMAI director Kevin Gover comments, “Native Americans have always answered the call to serve, and this memorial is a fitting tribute to their patriotism and deep commitment to this country.”

Brian Lebel’s Mesa Old West Show & Auction

Mesa, AZ

Brian Lebel’s 31st annual Mesa Old West Show is set to take place this year from Saturday to Sunday, January 23 to 24. The major Western event gives collectors the opportunity to shop more than 180 vendors of authentic Native American art, Western art, antiques, apparel, jewelry, collectibles, historical artifacts, cowboy gear, antique firearms, decor, books, boots and more. The Mesa Old West Auction will take place January 23 at 5 p.m., featuring 300 lots of authentic Western fine art and artifacts up for bidding.

Heard Museum show wins Award of Excellence

Phoenix, AZ

The Heard Museum’s poignant and powerful exhibition, Away From Home: American Indian Boarding School Stories, has won the American Association for State and Local History’s 2020 Award of Excellence. The AASLH Leadership in History Awards Program is the most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history. Away From Home, the updated installation of the long-running Boarding School exhibition at the Heard Museum, was developed under the leadership of Heard Museum curator Janet Cantley and explores the complex history surrounding United States government efforts during the 19th and 20th centuries to educate and “assimilate” American Indian youth through the controversial practice of removing children from their families and forcibly placing them in distant boarding schools.