A new permanent exhibit honoring Native American history debuted in the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma on Sunday.
The exhibit, “This is Native Land,” is in the museum’s Great Hall of Washington History.
Through multimedia, contemporary and interactive art set alongside historical artifacts, the exhibit conveys the importance of tribal traditions in the state and continuing them today, the museum wrote in a statement. More than 100 Native people from more than 60 tribes contributed to the exhibit.
“This exhibition explains the sovereign status of Tribes, confronts historic and current challenges faced by Native communities,” the museum wrote, “and explores themes of resilience, joy and cultural revitalization.”
Todd Clark of Wailaki-Round Valley Indian Tribes and Dr. Danica Sterud Miller of Puyallup Tribe of Indians curated the exhibit with guidance from a Native advisory council, the museum said.
Three central teachings guide the exhibit’s historical thesis: “We are the land and waters,” “With knowledge comes responsibility,” and “Our sovereignty protects the people, the lands, and the waters.”
“I kept thinking about my young kids walking through this exhibit one day and seeing Native life as alive and strong,” said Diné filmmaker director Fritz Bitsoie, who created videos that will be projected throughout the exhibit. “My hope is that these films remain a gift that continues to speak long after the cameras are gone.”
Visitors can walk through the exhibit with the price of general admission at the Washington State History Museum from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Tickets are $17 for adults, $14 for seniors and military members and $11 for students.
© 2025 The Seattle Times. Visit www.seattletimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
