Museum of the Rockies · 2017 Docent Manual
ENDURING PEOPLES:
NATIVE CULTURES OF THE NORTHERN ROCKIES AND PLAINS
Rewritten in Summer 2017
NOTE: The first part of the Enduring Peoples (EP) Section of the Docent Manual covers exhibit panel and label text and exhibit-specific background information and generally corresponds to the sequence of exhibits within the hall. The second part contains broader background information, maps and other useful information for developing hall interpretations
EXHIBIT BACKGROUND
In 1994, the Enduring Peoples exhibit was installed as a temporary exhibit. The exhibit space was originally a hallway connecting two parts of the museum; therefore, there is a distinctive upward slope to the floor as you walk from the beginning of the exhibit to the end by the History Hall.
The exhibit theme emphasizes the enduring cultures of peoples in the region and focuses on the similarities among the various tribes of the Northern Plains and Rockies rather than on any single tribal group. This approach would be similar to an exhibit on Europe that discusses similarities but ignores the differences in language, religions, customs and foods of individual European countries such as Spain, Denmark, and England. The museum decided to take the generalized approach to Indian cultures because of the selected theme (i.e. enduring cultures), the "temporary" nature of the exhibit, the amount of exhibit space, and the type of artifacts in the museum's collection.
These peoples are not gone. Indians are still in the region and continue to change and still influence the cultural, economic and political environment of the region. These people are here TODAY. To help emphasize this point, major exhibit panels include a final line with the heading of "TODAY" in capital letters to emphasize how certain traditions and ideas are still active TODAY. We have also capitalized the word TODAY whenever it appears in the EP Section of the Docent Manual to highlight current Indian life and activities.
CULTURAL CONTEXT AND SENSITIVITIES
People around the world face essentially the same basic problems of feeding and clothing themselves, caring for their children and the elderly, making group decisions, and having spiritual guidance. How these problems are solved may differ and results in unique cultures; however, solving these problems is a universal task.
Indian cultures were complex and sophisticated in content. Do not call them simple (without complicated ideas) or primitive (crude or undesirable). They were neither. The term "primitive" means lacking in civilization and is often used to demean cultures different from European cultures (e.g. cultures with writing, cities and complex technology). Indian cultures have very complicated philosophical systems, elaborate kinship structures, and comprehensive bodies of knowledge about the natural and supernatural worlds. Indian cultures in this region did not have a writing system and did not need one. Their complex stories were committed to memory and shared in ceremonies and rituals. These stories incorporated ideals and morality into intricate and often amusing stories. Their extensive use of oral history and stories has successfully preserved and passed on their cultural beliefs and traditions for thousands of years.
Indian cultures have unique moral systems that are often difficult for non-Indians to understand. Some can be confusing. For example, in extended families, an older woman (outsiders might call a grandmother) will fulfill the role of mother. Outsiders often interpret this to mean that the mother is neglecting her children. The childrearing task traditionally was done by someone else who had more time and patience since the mother was responsible for gathering and preparing food, making clothing, constructing and maintaining the tipi, etc. Other ideals, such as reverence for "mother earth," are admired while also being misunderstood. Outsiders who call Earth a goddess, for example, neglect the true complexity of Indian notions of the spiritual world.
Indian peoples also have their own stories of origin, which are religious in nature. Other cultures have origin stories that differ from scientific interpretations. When doing an interactive activity with students, it is fine to allow students to try on clothes and touch and make sounds with the instruments. However, in order to maintain the utmost respect for American Indian culture and practices, we would like to discourage any formation of a Pow Wow circle or "Pow Wow" type dance with the students.
Over the years, outsiders have struggled with the appropriate term for the native peoples of America. While the term "Native American" became popular in the 1960's, most tribal groups in Montana refer to themselves as "American Indians." In this exhibit, the term "Native American" is occasionally used, but the primary term in use is "Indian."
Because objects of cultural and spiritual sensitivity were removed from the exhibit in 2016, PHOTOGRAPHY IS NOW PERMITTED IN THE ENDURING PEOPLES EXHIBIT.
EXHIBIT UPDATE
This "temporary exhibit" has served the museum well and has proven very popular over the years especially with elementary school groups. The Enduring Peoples exhibit is now considered a permanent exhibit on regional American Indian cultures. However, the museum recognizes the exhibit's limitations. Long term plans call for integrating the Enduring Peoples and History Halls into a single exhibit on regional history.
Indian Education for All (IEFA): In 1972, Montana ratified a new constitution. An important addition to this new constitution was Article X, section 1(2) which states, "The state recognizes the unique and cultural heritage of the American Indians and is committed in its education goals to the preservation of their cultural integrity." Montana is the only state in the United States to include an explicit constitutional commitment to its Indian citizens. In 1999, the Montana Legislature passed a law known as Indian Education for All to codify the intent of Article X, stating "Every Montanan . . . whether Indian or non-Indian, be encouraged to learn about the distinct and unique heritage of American Indians in a culturally responsive manner.” School curriculum standards and lesson plans have been expanded to include Indian history and cultural studies. Some teachers plan tours to the museum to augment their IEFA program.
Some school groups are interested in specific tribes. When specific tribal information or artifacts are identifiable within the exhibit, the tribe's name has been capitalized in the descriptions within the EP Section in the Docent Manual.
Acquisition of the Hamilton - Povah Yellowstone Collection: In 2009, nearly 1,200 items collected by the Hamilton and Povah families while operating the Hamilton Store chain in Yellowstone National Park (1915 to 2003) were donated to the museum. This collection provides a unique and valuable insight into the Yellowstone area's cultural history including the area's Indian culture. The acquisition quadrupled the museum's collection of Indian artifacts. The Museum of the Rockies now has one of the best collections of Northern Rocky Mountain Indian artifacts in the region. The donation also included a financial gift to support the curation and interpretation of the collection.
Reinstallation of Enduring Peoples Exhibit: In 2016, the EP hallway exhibit area was closed for renovation. In November 2016, the area was reopened as the Gardner Western Gallery with a new regional history exhibit, Welcome to Yellowstone Country, and the reinstallation of an updated Enduring Peoples exhibit. The updated exhibit begins in the area of the full-size adult buffalo and ends at the entrance to the History Hall.
The overall exhibit space appears brighter and larger than the former space because the exterior walls were changed from brown to white and all of the mannequin displays were removed as well as most of the partial interior divider walls. This section of the Docent Manual includes the text of all EP exhibit panels and labels and are grouped topically. Note: Actual physical locations of some exhibit items may be in the same area but not necessarily adjacent to each other. The following topical groups are used in the updated exhibit: Origins of the People and Storytelling; A Mobile Lifeway; Diverse Resources; Clothing; The Tipi Way; Hunters and Gatherers; Decoration; Family and Indian Social Groups; Toys, Games and Entertainment; Indians in Yellowstone; Spirituality and Religion; and Friends and Enemies.
INTRODUCTION
Enduring Peoples examines the lifeways of American Indians living on the Northern Plains and near the Rocky Mountains and illustrates how they have retained their cultural identities despite great challenges.
Indian cultures in the region have endured from paleo to modern American times. Traditionally, these peoples followed the vast herds of bison that once covered the region. As Euro-Americans moved onto the lands that American Indians had lived on for generations, conflicts became inevitable. Ultimately, the American Indians of the region were forced onto small areas of land that they reserved for themselves in their negotiations with the government of the United States. Although life has changed for Indians in the region, traditions endure. American Indians have inhabited the Northern Plains and Rockies for over 12,000 years. Most were mobile hunters and gatherers. Traditional native life remained largely intact until the 1800s.
The first outside explorers into native lands are unknown. However, the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1803-1806) provided the first systematic exploration, mapping, and documented descriptions of the area and its abundant natural resources. The fur trade, discovery of gold, and the Homestead Act all brought waves of outsiders to the region. Competition for resources and the introduction of horses, metal, guns, cloth and canvas by outsiders significantly affected Indian cultures.
Culture is the sum total of ways of living built up by a people and transmitted from one generation to another. There is a tremendous amount of similarity as well as diversity in Indian cultures throughout the region. With time, all cultures change. However, TODAY'S Indian life still reflects some traditions that are hundreds of years old. Many Indian people revere their heritage and work hard to maintain their cultural independence. They want to honor their ancestry by keeping their cultures alive. They can no longer fully support themselves with the mobile, hunting lifeway of the past; but they can continue to preserve many of their traditions through ceremonies, religious rituals, languages, and stories.
Introduction Panel: ENDURING PEOPLES, NATIVE CULTURES OF THE
NORTHERN ROCKIES AND PLAINS
Indian cultures TODAY are not identical with those of 100 or 200 years ago. However, many ideas and practices have survived. Panel Text: The hunter-gatherers who lived in this area for thousands of years were well fed and spiritually secure. Life was predictable and usually good. In the late 1800s, many changes were imposed upon the Indian residents by newcomers. Even with the loss of land and the buffalo, Indian cultures have not vanished. Instead, they responded to new economic and social conditions by adapting new materials to older ideas and ways of living. They fitted the new into the old, struggling to keep traditional values meaningful and alive amidst the devastation caused by alcohol and unemployment.
Panel Photo: Indian Couple at Columbia Fair. The outside world has been filtered through traditions, never to be adopted fully.
Display: FULL-SIZE ADULT BUFFALO
The scientific name for the American buffalo is bison but the popular name remains "buffalo." The names "buffalo" and "bison" are used interchangeably in this exhibit hall. Docents can use either term but "buffalo" tends to be the more common name. This buffalo was part of a commercial herd raised for meat. It was harvested in November when its body weight and hide were in prime condition. The Indians used buffalo chips (dung) as a primary source of fuel. Buffalo eat plant material. Their waste product is mainly undigested cellulose (the same structural framework as plants and wood). The chips had no smell after drying for a year.
Photo Wall Mural: BUFFALO HERD
Background: This photo was taken on the Flying D Ranch located southwest of Bozeman, Montana. The ranch operates as a commercial buffalo ranch and is owned by Ted Turner. The photo shows the kind of grassland that was most attractive to the buffalo. The plains of Montana are classified as a short grassland region. The native grasses of the region have the property of retaining their nutritive qualities when dried out in the annual summer drought; therefore, the buffalo got the full nutritional value without concern for the amount of rain that had fallen.
The migration of the herds was only moderately predictable. Some years, the herds did not return to places they had been found in previous decades. Little is known about the reasons for such changes. Adequate water for drinking was probably one important variable. The buffalo clean themselves by rolling in dirt, which removes pests and parasites while also cooling the animals. The depressions or wallows made by rolling often fill with water in rainy times. TODAY, many tribes have buffalo herds which provide meat for feasts, hides and other parts for religious ceremonies and materials for tools. In families, schools, camps and tribal colleges, elders tell sacred stories of buffalo and demonstrate skills like hide tanning.
ORIGINS OF THE PEOPLE AND STORYTELLING
Religion, which many Indian people prefer to call spirituality, is central to everything else in Indian cultures. Stories of origin are basic religious ideas. They are like the stories in the Old Testament of the Bible except Indian stories are not written down. Special people were responsible for learning and telling these stories. For Euro-American cultures, time is viewed as a line from birth to death, always pointing into the unknown future. Indian people do not divide time this way. They think of time as circular. The retelling of stories brings the past into the present, ensuring that the future will resemble the past.
Panel: ORIGINS OF THE PEOPLE
To Indian peoples, everything in the world had sacred origins. Since they did not have writing, their ideas about beginnings were contained in sacred stories and ceremonies that were remembered and told from one generation to the next. TODAY, sacred stories, often told in winter, still convey moral teachings and other important lessons. Note: The panel stories are very short summaries of story cycles that could take weeks to tell.
The SIOUX: People once lived underground and were brought to the surface when the Mother of the Winds begged Inktomi (Spider) to find them. These people were visited by White Buffalo Calf Woman who gave them their seven sacred rites.