The Apsáalooke Perspective
A look at the groundbreaking exhibition, Apsáalooke Women and Warriors, and the historic art and objects that give it life.
CHICAGO, IL
In a time when museums across the globe are struggling to reimagine antiquated and colonial approaches to exhibition making around Indigenous cultures, a collaboration between the Field Museum, the University of Chicago and the Apsáalooke Nation, has produced a groundbreaking exhibition that finally invites a Native nation and their curator to tell the story of their people. In an effort to avoid continuous colonial approaches to curation, museum collections care and conservation, as well as public education surrounding Indigenous material, the Field Museum partnered with the Neubauer Collegium for Culture and Society at the University of Chicago to tackle the issues head-on to lay out a vision for the future that includes robust consultation from Native peoples.
Together the institutions hosted a remarkable series of conversations with tribal elders, Native artists and writers, curators and scholars specializing in Indigenous cultural material, scholarship and human rights. As a result of the conversations the research project improved engagement and incorporated knowledge from the Native community.
The first major result of these consultations is Apsáalooke Women and Warriors, groundbreaking, community-driven exhibition that features historic objects and contemporary art with narratives that emphasize the vibrant and living culture of the Apsáalooke people. A new roadmap that explores the appropriate display and education of Native objects and culture.
Apsáalooke Women and Warriors tells stories from the Apsáalooke perspective, a radical departure from the past that seeks to privilege the voices of Indigenous and marginalized people. And the exhibition book, distributed by the Uchicago Press, gives center stage to Apsáalooke writers, whose essays are featured alongside sacred objects, contemporary and historic art, and photos of Apsáalooke people. All proceeds from the book will go to Little Big Horn College in Crow Agency, Montana.
The two-part exhibition will feature contemporary art, beadwork, designer apparel, war shields, historic ledger works, an animated production about the Apsáalooke creation, parade finery and an Apsáalooke tipi. Each object described through narrative, with an emphasis on the Apsáalooke use and meaning of each item. In addition to these items the Field museum site will premiere a collection of Apsáalooke war shields curated by Aaron Brien, Apsáalooke archeologist and scholar.
WAR CULTURE
In the past the Apsáalooke were immersed in a way of life that embraced inter-tribal warfare. This war culture compelled my people to have a great deal of respect for those who exhibited boundless courage and bravery on the battlefield. These virtues are still celebrated though we no longer participate in inter-tribal warfare. A victory today is successful participation in the military, completing a degree, doing honorable work in your