JAIC 1998, Volume 37, Number 3, Article 7 (pp. 334 to 345)

WOVEN BY THE GRANDMOTHERS: TWENTY-FOUR BLANKETS TRAVEL TO THE NAVAJO NATION

SUSAN HEALD, & KATHLEEN E. ASH-MILBY

ABSTRACT—As collaboration with Native peoples is increasingly expected of museums that house indigenous cultural materials, it is imperative that collections become more accessible to Native communities. The National Museum of the American Indian sent a selection of 19th-century Navajo blankets to the Navajo reservation in 1995 to develop an exhibition with community involvement and provide access for the community, especially weavers, to study the blankets. During the event, scheduled plans continually shifted due to unanticipated circumstances and, at times, mistaken assumptions. Ultimately, the success of the project—balancing access and preservation of the blankets—depended on the flexibility of museum staff to resolve issues as they arose.
[Spanish Abstract] [French Abstract]

Article Sections:

1. INTRODUCTION
2. PROJECT HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT
3. CONSERVATION CONCERNS
4. THE WORKSHOP
5. CONCLUSIONS
6. AFTERWORD
a: Notes , References , Author Information

Entire Article