– Museum of the Rockies invites you to experience two new changing exhibitions this fall; “Memories on Glass: D.F. Barry on Standing Rock, 1878 – 1891“ and “Roots of Wisdom: Native Knowledge. Shared Science.”. These exhibits provide an important and timely opportunity to appreciate how the portrayal of Native American peoples and cultures has grown more sophisticated over the past 150 years from both historical and contemporary perspectives. Life-long learners and educators will benefit from a rich ground of science, history, culture, and art.
In “Memory on Glass: D. F. Barry on Standing Rock 1878-1891“, opening September 23, you will discover an array of people who played important parts in the story of the radically changing character of Dakota Territory, both American Indian, and Euro-American. Chiefs Sitting Bull and Gall and Joseph of the Nez Perce, George Custer, and many others are all represented in Barry’s extensive pictorial portfolio.
Via a collection of photographs and detailed descriptions, “Memory on Glass” examines D.F. Barry’s work as he recorded the creation of the Standing Rock Reservation and the ongoing controversies that continue to surround American Indians and their relationship with the U.S. government to this day. The exhibit was produced by MOR Exhibitions and will feature new research about Barry’s life by Museum of the Rockies’ Curator of History, Michael D. Fox.
“While D. F. Barry is best known for his portraits of American Indian and and U.S. Army subjects,” Michael D. Fox, says, “Memory on Glass“ includes exterior images of life on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation that illustrate the dramatic changes and hardships that Lakota and Dakota people endured as they adjusted to life under the regulation of the federal government.”
Overcoming environmental and cultural challenges can make for unexpected partnerships that result in extraordinary outcomes. At “Roots of Wisdom: Native Knowledge. Shared Science.“, opening September 30, the knowledge of native peoples and cutting-edge Western science are explored, providing insight into how we can improve our relationship with the natural world.
“Roots of Wisdom“ features stories from four indigenous communities, giving visitors real-life examples of how traditional knowledge and Western science, together, provide complementary solutions to ecological and health challenges facing us today. Through the voices of elders and youth, engaging video interactives and hands-on games, visitors will gather resources, examine data, and take part in the growing movement towards sustainability and the reclamation of age-old practices.
Funded by the National Science Foundation, “Roots of Wisdom” is specially designed for visitors ages 11–14. The exhibition was developed by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), the Indigenous Education Institute (IEI), the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI), the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Tulalip Tribes, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the Waikalua Loko Fishpond Preservation Society in Hawaii, and was made possible through funds from the National Science Foundation.
Museum of the Rockies has also embedded a Montana component into the “Roots of Wisdom” exhibit through the celebration of the Indian Education For All Act and its impact on Montana public education. By exploring how several Montana reservations are weaving western science and native knowledge to help solve some contemporary ecological issues they face, the Museum is integrating a fundamental component of its mission – Bringing Montana to the World – into the exhibit.
Exhibition dates:
“Memories on Glass: D.F. Barry on Standing Rock, 1878 – 1891”
September 23, 2017 – January 21, 2018