Different approaches towards representation : aboriginal cultural centres and the portrayal of Pacific Northwest First Nations
Date
1995
Authors
Noordmans, Craig R.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Evidence of First Nations involvement in the portrayal of their cultures can be seen within the exhibits of aboriginal and non-aboriginal museums. Within today's world, the importance of First Nations owned and run museums is becoming increasingly apparent.
In an attempt to discover how aboriginal and non-aboriginal museums portray First Nations cultures, observations and analyses from several northwest coast museums are utilized. The "languages" used by these museums in the depiction of aboriginal cultures forms a basis of analysis. Elements of museum languages, such as exhibit text and artifact presentation, are scrutinized and evidence of many parallels between the two types of institutions in the areas of exhibition technique and the flow of information from exhibit to observer can be found. Differences are found between the two types of museums in terms of tile aboriginal or nonaboriginal originators of exhibits, and the fact that aboriginal museu1ms usually represent a single First Nation, allowing for a strong focus and detailed explanation of that culture. A primary importance of aboriginal cultural centres lies in the fact that they are expressions of ownership and self-representation. The establishment and continuation of aboriginal museums can be seen as an important step in the work of First Nations to maintain their cultural traditions. These institutions represent a strong link for many aboriginal peoples to their heritage, and a vital source of knowledge and information to other cultures of the world.
A critical evaluation of the techniques of exhibition utilized in aboriginal and nonaboriginal museums illustrates the merits of both types of institutions, and points out how the cultures of First Nations are becoming increasingly involved in the portrayal of aboriginal peoples.