Native Americans vs. Museums, Washington's Runaway Slave

Native Americans vs. Museums, Washington's Runaway Slave

Top of Mind with Julie Rose

  • Mar 24, 2017 11:00 pm
  • 1:43:42 mins

Native Americans vs. Museums Guest: Chip Colwell, PhD, Senior Curator of Anthropology, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, author of “Plundered Skulls and Stolen Spirits: Inside the Fight to Reclaim Native America’s Culture” Think back to the last time you visited a museum of natural history or ancient peoples. While examining the intricate carvings, beaded clothing or handmade tools, did you pause to think how the descendants of the people who owned those items might feel about them being displayed behind glass, under lights?  Fifty years ago, Native American leaders launched a crusade to get the most sacred of their tribal artifacts back from museums so they could honor them properly. Museums balked at the idea that tribes, without any professional archivists on staff, could do a better job caring for beautiful ceremonial robes or centuries-old bones unearthed by archaeologists. Washington’s Runaway Slave Guest: Erica Armstrong Dunbar, PhD, Blue and Gold Distinguished Professor of Black Studies and History, University of Delaware, author of “Never Caught: The Washington’s Relentless Pursuit of their Runaway Slave Ona Judge” George and Martha Washington’s Runaway Slave’s name was Ona Judge and she slipped away from Washington’s presidential mansion in Philadelphia one Saturday afternoon during dinner, never to return.  George Washington pursued her until the end of his life. He enlisted government officials to track her down and offered a reward for her capture.