ANTI-WHITE SUPREMACIST STRATEGIES IN AMERICAN INDIAN ART MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS

White supremacy has been entrenched into American culture since the western settlers first made contact with American Indians. Over the past four years, the term white supremacy has seen an increase in social and political rhetoric. With this heightened awareness, art museums are beginning to see the role they play in either reinforcing or dismantling this toxic ideology. This thesis examines the historical and contemporary museum exhibition display ideologies, styles, and techniques in American Indian art exhibitions. This thesis also examines the influence of laws and policies on molding exhibition display practices and either supporting or combating white supremacy. Art museums have a significant role to play in fixing the white-centric narrative that has plagued society. However, the first step must be a collective understanding of where, how, and why white supremacy is embedded in museum practices. Only with this knowledge can museums establish successful, safe, and equitable spaces for American Indians and other traditionally silenced communities.