How to Learn Native American History at the Denver Art Museum

The Denver Art Museum (DAM) stands as one of the most significant cultural institutions in the American West, housing one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of Native American art in the United States. For those seeking to understand the depth, diversity, and enduring legacy of Indigenous cultures across North America, the museum offers an unparalleled educational experience. Learning Native American history at the Denver Art Museum is not merely about viewing artifactsit is about engaging with living traditions, confronting historical narratives, and honoring the voices of Native peoples who continue to shape their identities today. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step roadmap for visitors, students, researchers, and culturally curious individuals to meaningfully explore and absorb Native American history through the museums exhibitions, programs, and resources.

Native American history is often misrepresented, oversimplified, or erased in mainstream education. The Denver Art Museum, through decades of collaboration with tribal communities, has become a leader in ethical curation and Indigenous-centered storytelling. By following the strategies outlined in this guide, you will move beyond passive observation and enter into a deeper, more respectful dialogue with the art, history, and contemporary realities of Native nations.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Plan Your Visit Around Native American Exhibitions

Before arriving at the Denver Art Museum, research the current and upcoming exhibitions focused on Native American art and history. The museums permanent collection includes over 18,000 objects from more than 250 Indigenous nations, spanning from the Arctic to the Southwest. Key galleries to prioritize include:

• The Frederic C. Hamilton Building Home to the Indigenous Art of North America collection, featuring monumental works from the Plains, Southwest, Northwest Coast, and Arctic regions.
• The North American Indian Art Galleries These galleries are arranged thematically and geographically, offering context for materials, techniques, and spiritual significance.
• Temporary Exhibitions Regularly rotating shows often spotlight contemporary Native artists or historically underrepresented communities. Check the museums website for current offerings.

Plan your visit on a day when guided tours are offered. Many tours are led by museum educators with specialized knowledge in Native American art and are often co-developed with tribal consultants. These tours provide context that labels alone cannot convey.

Step 2: Begin with the Foundational Context

Upon entering the Indigenous Art of North America galleries, take time to read the introductory panels. These panels explain the museums curatorial philosophy, the diversity of Native nations, and the importance of distinguishing between tribal identities. Avoid generalizations such as Native American as a monolithic term. Instead, recognize that over 570 federally recognized tribes exist in the U.S. alone, each with distinct languages, governance systems, and artistic traditions.

Focus on understanding the relationship between environment and material culture. For example, the use of porcupine quills in Great Lakes beadwork, the significance of turquoise in Southwestern jewelry, or the role of buffalo hides in Plains ceremonial regalia. These materials are not merely decorativethey are tied to cosmology, trade networks, and ecological knowledge passed down for generations.

Step 3: Engage with Labels and Interpretive Texts Critically

Many museum labels are written from a colonial perspective, even unintentionally. Learn to read between the lines. Look for phrases like tribal origin unknown or circa 1800these often reflect gaps in documentation caused by forced displacement and cultural suppression. The Denver Art Museum has made significant strides in partnering with tribal historians to revise outdated interpretations.

Pay attention to labels that include the names of specific tribes, artists (when known), and community affiliations. For instance, a piece labeled Navajo (Din) silver and turquoise necklace, made by Clara Nez, 1952 carries far more meaning than one labeled Southwestern Indian necklace. The latter erases identity; the former honors it.

When in doubt, ask museum staff: Can you tell me which tribal nation this object comes from and how it was used in its original context? This simple question signals respect and invites deeper dialogue.

Step 4: Attend Public Programs and Lectures

The Denver Art Museum regularly hosts lectures, artist talks, film screenings, and panel discussions centered on Native American history and contemporary issues. These programs often feature Indigenous scholars, artists, elders, and activists who speak from personal and cultural authority.

Examples of past programs include:

• Contemporary Indigenous Fashion: Reclaiming Identity Through Textiles with designer Wendy Red Star
• Oral Histories of the Ute People: Land, Language, and Legacy with Ute Mountain elder and historian Dr. Shirley A. Smith
• The Sacred Geometry of Pueblo Pottery with Hopi ceramicist and educator Tony Chavarria

Sign up for the museums email newsletter or check their events calendar monthly. Many programs are free with museum admission and often include Q&A sessionsdont hesitate to ask thoughtful questions.

Step 5: Explore the Native American Art Study Center

Located on the third floor of the Martin Building, the Native American Art Study Center is a research facility open to the public by appointment. Here, visitors can view objects from the museums collection that are not currently on displaymany of which are sacred, fragile, or culturally sensitive and therefore not exhibited publicly.

Appointments are free and can be scheduled through the museums website. When visiting the Study Center, you may handle (with supervision) objects such as ceremonial masks, beadwork samples, and historic textiles. This tactile experience offers insight into craftsmanship, material weight, and cultural intention that cannot be gained through glass cases.

Staff at the Study Center are trained to provide culturally appropriate context. They will explain why certain objects are not displayed, how repatriation efforts have changed museum practices, and how communities continue to steward their heritage.

Step 6: Participate in Hands-On Workshops

The museum offers seasonal workshops led by Native artists that connect visitors with traditional techniques. Past offerings have included:

• Willow basket weaving with Northern Paiute artisans
• Navajo weaving on a traditional loom
• Native beadwork design using traditional patterns
• Storytelling circles with tribal elders

These workshops are not craft activities designed for touriststhey are cultural exchanges rooted in reciprocity. Participants are often asked to listen more than they speak, to respect protocols around materials (such as not touching sacred colors or patterns without permission), and to acknowledge the living nature of these traditions.

Registration is required, and spaces are limited. These programs fill quickly, so sign up as soon as they are announced.

Step 7: Visit the Museums Native American Resource Library

Adjacent to the Study Center is a curated library of books, journals, oral histories, and archival materials focused on Native American history, art, and sovereignty. This collection includes rare publications from the 19th and early 20th centuries, as well as contemporary scholarly works authored by Indigenous scholars.

Notable titles include:

• Native American Art in the Twentieth Century by W. Jackson Rushing
• Our People, Our Land, Our Images: International Indigenous Photographers by Hulleah J. Tsinhnahjinnie
• Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples by Linda Tuhiwai Smith

Library access is free, and no appointment is needed during regular hours. Take notes, photocopy relevant pages (within copyright limits), and consider borrowing books through interlibrary loan if you cannot take them home.

Step 8: Connect with the Museums Tribal Advisory Council

The Denver Art Museum has established a formal Tribal Advisory Council composed of representatives from over 20 Native nations. Their role is to guide acquisitions, exhibitions, educational content, and ethical practices. While the council meets privately, the museum publishes summaries of their recommendations and decisions on its website.

Review these documents to understand how tribal voices shape the museums mission. For example, the councils influence led to the removal of sacred objects from public display, the return of ancestral remains under NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act), and the inclusion of Indigenous languages on all exhibition labels.

Understanding these institutional changes reveals how museums are evolving from colonial repositories into spaces of reconciliation and collaboration.

Step 9: Reflect and Document Your Experience

After your visit, take time to reflect. Journal your thoughts. What surprised you? What challenged your assumptions? Which artworks or stories resonated most deeply? Write down questions you still have.

Consider creating a personal learning portfolio. Include:

• Photos of objects (if permitted)
• Quotes from labels or audio guides
• Names of artists and tribal affiliations
• Connections you made between historical and contemporary Native art

This practice transforms a one-time visit into a sustained educational journey. Share your reflections with othersfriends, classmates, or online communitiesto deepen collective understanding.

Step 10: Support Native Communities Beyond the Museum

Learning Native American history is not confined to museum walls. Use your experience as a springboard to support Indigenous communities in tangible ways:

• Buy art directly from Native artists through verified platforms like NativeTech or the Indian Arts and Crafts Board.
• Donate to tribal education funds or language revitalization programs.
• Advocate for accurate Native history in public school curricula.
• Follow and amplify Native voices on social media: artists, historians, activists.

True learning leads to action. The Denver Art Museum does not exist in isolationit is part of a larger ecosystem of Indigenous resilience and cultural continuity. Your engagement should extend beyond the museums doors.

Best Practices

Practice Cultural Humility

Cultural humility means approaching Native American history with openness, awareness of your own biases, and a willingness to be corrected. Avoid speaking for Native peoples or assuming you understand their experiences. Listen more than you speak. When in doubt, say, Im still learning.

Respect Sacred Objects and Spaces

Some objects on display may be ceremonial or spiritually significant. Do not take photos of these items if signage prohibits it. Do not touch displays. Do not make jokes or treat artifacts as novelty items. Silence and stillness are forms of respect.

Use Accurate Terminology

Use specific tribal names (e.g., Lakota, Hopi, Tlingit) instead of generic terms. Use Indigenous or Native American only when referring broadly. Avoid outdated or offensive terms like Indian, tribe (unless used by the community itself), or primitive.

Recognize Living Cultures

Native American history is not confined to the past. Contemporary Native artists, writers, and leaders are shaping culture today. Look for modern works in the museums collectionceramic sculptures, digital media, fashion designsand understand that tradition and innovation coexist.

Avoid Romanticization and Stereotypes

Reject the myth of the noble savage or the vanishing Indian. These tropes dehumanize and erase complexity. Native peoples are not relicsthey are dynamic, diverse, and politically active communities navigating modernity while preserving heritage.

Understand the Impact of Colonization

Every object in the museum has a story of displacement, resistance, or survival. Learn about the Trail of Tears, boarding schools, land theft, and forced assimilation. These are not abstract historical eventsthey are the roots of the cultural loss and resilience you witness in the galleries.

Engage with Indigenous Perspectives, Not Just Academic Ones

While scholarly books are valuable, prioritize Native-authored sources. Seek out memoirs, poetry, oral histories, and films made by Indigenous creators. The museums resource library and programs are excellent starting points.

Be Patient and Return Often

Native American history is vast and layered. One visit will not be enough. Return seasonally to see new exhibitions, attend new talks, and deepen your understanding. Let your learning be a lifelong practice, not a checklist.

Tools and Resources

Official Museum Resources

• Denver Art Museum Website denverartmuseum.org Features exhibition calendars, virtual tours, educational downloads, and tribal partnership updates.
• Indigenous Art of North America Online Collection Searchable database of over 10,000 objects with high-resolution images and updated provenance information.
• Audio Guides Available in the app or via kiosks; includes narration by Native curators and community members.
• Family Activity Kits Designed for children and adults, these kits include discussion prompts, art-making activities, and language cards from Native languages.

External Digital Resources

• Native Land Digital native-land.ca Interactive map showing ancestral territories of Indigenous nations across North America.
• Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian americanindian.si.edu Offers free online exhibitions, webinars, and educational toolkits.
• First Peoples Fund firstpeoplesfund.org Supports Native artists and cultural entrepreneurs; features artist profiles and interviews.
• Native American Rights Fund narf.org Provides legal resources on tribal sovereignty and land rights.
• YouTube Channels Search for Native American Art History or Indigenous Storytelling to find documentaries and artist talks.

Books and Academic Journals

• Native American Art: A Visual History by Peter A. J. L. H. Brown
• Art of the Northwest Coast by Aldona Jonaitis
• Native American Women in Art by Dr. Margaret Archuleta
• Journal of the Southwest Academic journal featuring peer-reviewed research on Indigenous cultures of the American Southwest.
• Wicazo Sa Review Scholarly journal focused on Native American studies, literature, and history.

Mobile Apps and Digital Tools

• DAM Mobile App Includes interactive maps, audio tours, and real-time updates on gallery closures or special events.
• Google Arts & Culture Features virtual walkthroughs of the Denver Art Museums Native American galleries.
• Language Learning Apps Try Din Bizaad for Navajo or Ute Language App to connect language with cultural context.

Community Organizations to Partner With

• Denver Indian Center Offers cultural events, language classes, and community gatherings.
• Native American Community Academy A K12 school in Denver with a curriculum rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems.
• Colorado Native American Heritage Commission State agency that provides educational materials and public history resources.

Real Examples

Example 1: The Woven Histories Exhibition (2023)

In 2023, the Denver Art Museum curated Woven Histories: Textiles from Native North America, featuring over 100 textiles from 40 tribes. One standout piece was a Navajo wedding blanket from the 1870s, originally traded between Navajo weavers and Spanish settlers. The exhibition included a digital overlay showing the textiles dye sourcesindigo from trade routes, cochineal from Mexicoand an audio recording of a Din weaver explaining the spiritual significance of the diamond patterns.

Visitors were invited to sit in a circle and listen to oral histories about weaving as a form of prayer. One visitor, a college student from Ohio, later wrote: I thought weaving was just craft. I didnt realize each stitch carried a prayer for balance, for family, for the earth. That blanket wasnt made to be hung on a wall. It was made to be worn by a bride walking into a new life.

Example 2: The Repatriation of the Ute Bear Claw Necklace

In 2021, the museum returned a sacred Ute bear claw necklace to the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe after a two-year collaboration. The necklace, acquired in 1903, had been displayed for decades as a decorative item from the Southern Utes. Tribal elders explained it was worn only by ceremonial leaders during healing rites and was never meant for public display.

The repatriation ceremony was filmed and later made available on the museums website. It included traditional songs, speeches in the Ute language, and a moment of silence. The museum then created a new label in the gallery: This object was returned to the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe in 2021. We honor their sovereignty and their right to protect sacred items.

For visitors, this moment transformed the museum from a passive archive into an active participant in justice.

Example 3: A High School Classs Project

A group of students from Denvers East High School visited the museum as part of a Native American history unit. They selected five objects from the collection, researched their origins, and interviewed a Northern Arapaho elder who visited the museum as a guest speaker. The students then created a podcast series titled Voices Beneath the Glass, which was featured on the museums website and played during Indigenous Peoples Day.

One student said: We used to think history was something in books. Now I know its in the hands of people still alive. Im not just learning about Native AmericansIm learning from them.

FAQs

Can I take photos inside the Native American galleries?

Photography is generally permitted for personal, non-commercial use, unless a specific object is marked as sacred or restricted. Flash photography is always prohibited to protect fragile materials. Always check signage or ask a staff member if unsure.

Is the Denver Art Museums collection fully repatriated?

No. While the museum has returned hundreds of items under NAGPRA and continues to collaborate with tribes on repatriation, some objects remain under legal or cultural review. The museum publishes its repatriation progress annually on its website.

Are there guided tours in Native languages?

Currently, audio guides include translations in Navajo, Ute, and Lakota. The museum is expanding multilingual offerings based on community feedback.

Can I bring my children? Are there kid-friendly resources?

Yes. The museum offers family activity kits, interactive touch tables, and storytelling sessions designed for children. Many exhibits include tactile elements and simple explanations suitable for young learners.

How does the museum ensure accuracy in its interpretations?

The museum works with Tribal Advisory Councils, commissions Native scholars to write labels, and conducts community reviews of all new exhibitions before opening. They also participate in the American Alliance of Museums Indigenous Cultural Sensitivity Guidelines.

What if Im not Indigenouscan I still learn here?

Yes. The museum welcomes all visitors with respect and curiosity. Learning Native American history is not about claiming identityits about honoring it. Your role is to listen, reflect, and support.

How can I support the museums Native American initiatives?

Donate to the Native American Art Endowment, volunteer for public programs, attend benefit events, or advocate for tribal education in your community. Your support helps sustain these vital efforts.

Conclusion

Learning Native American history at the Denver Art Museum is not a passive experienceit is an act of cultural reclamation, ethical engagement, and personal transformation. The museum does not offer a sanitized version of history. Instead, it provides a space where Indigenous voices lead, where artifacts speak of resilience, and where visitors are invited to become part of a larger movement toward truth and reconciliation.

By following the steps outlined in this guideplanning thoughtfully, engaging critically, listening deeply, and acting beyond the museumyou move from being a spectator to becoming a steward of Indigenous knowledge. You honor not only the past but the living, breathing cultures that continue to thrive despite centuries of erasure.

Every object in the Denver Art Museum has a story. Many of those stories were once silenced. Now, they are being toldnot by outsiders, but by the people who carry them in their blood, their language, and their hands. Your responsibility is not to interpret them for others, but to receive them with humility, to carry them forward with integrity, and to ensure they are never forgotten again.

Visit. Listen. Learn. Return. Repeat.