Summer brings many new visitors to the UO and the museum. We are delighted to welcome local youth and families enjoying summer break, spectators coming for world-class track and field events, families celebrating their new UO graduates, and travelers exploring the beauty of our state. We work hard to make the museum a place where everyone feels welcome to explore the incredible natural and cultural history of Oregon.

People come to museums like ours to learn about our collective past, present, and future. But museums have not always made everyone feel welcome. As we look toward the museum’s future, we (and this is a collective we) are starting to ask some hard questions: How were the objects in our museum acquired? How can we care for these collections in ways that honors descendant communities? How can we tell more inclusive stories?

Here at the MNCH, we are committed to creating an atmosphere where everyone feels they belong. Recently, our entire museum staff participated in a decolonization workshop supported by the UO IDEAL Grant program. Led by Indigenous scholar and museum expert Dr. Deana Dartt, this workshop educated our staff and scientists about the colonial history of museums and the ongoing impact this history has on Indigenous communities. By critically examining our individual beliefs and updating our organizational practices, we hope to create a more inclusive and equitable space for all.

As we travel this path, our staff, scientists, students, and volunteers are working together to expand the museum’s cultural competency, inclusive interpretation, and community engagement. Among the changes we have already made are a focus on bilingual exhibits, Indigenous partnerships, new research and collections policies, new museum signage and art, and featured Indigenous contemporary artists. These activities are the first steps towards understanding and respecting the diverse perspectives and experiences of our visitors and the cultures represented in our collections. We hope you’ll join us as we continue to reshape how our museum upholds our responsibility to communities.

We believe these efforts are essential to fulfilling our mission of preserving and sharing Oregon’s natural and cultural heritage. We are grateful for your ongoing support and look forward to continuing this important journey together.

Below, find a sneak peek at an updated sign we plan to install at the museum soon, from featured contemporary artist Steph Littlebird.