Abstract

This research explores the ways that education programs are structured in Indigenous museums across the United States. It addresses museums as a site of learning and the role museums serve in educating about injustices, specifically the content taught and the methods used to ensure effective instruction. Emphasis is put on how museums supplement Indigenous education content that is not taught in schools. A major purpose is to better comprehend the educational programming in Indigenous museums to understand the effective learning strategies that address injustices. This research also directs attention towards the multiple burdens Indigenous museums face where they must build new knowledge and break down false conceptions about Indigenous Peoples, as well as meeting the needs of Indigenous Peoples to understand themselves. My theoretical framework draws primarily from the work of Paulo Freire. It also relies heavily on the work of Amy Lonetree and Audra Simpson. Ultimately, this research identifies Indigenous museums’ unique opportunity to bridge the gap of knowledge about Indigenous Peoples through education.

Advisor

Derderian, Beth

Department

Sociology and Anthropology

Disciplines

Anthropology | Museum Studies | Social and Cultural Anthropology

Keywords

Museums, Indigenous Museums, Museum Education, Injustice Education

Publication Date

2021

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2021 Tara Elizabeth Strauch