John P. McGovern Hall of The Americas

The John P. McGovern Hall of the Americas honors the rich diversity and achievements of the Indigenous peoples of the Americas. At the heart of the exhibition stands an inuksuk, a stone monument used by the Inuit, symbolizing the enduring presence of Indigenous peoples. Spanning from the Arctic to South America, the exhibit showcases hundreds of “belongings,” including shell and stone tools, ceramics, featherwork, and beadwork. Notable items feature instruments and headdresses of the Marake ritual, intricate Plains Indian beadwork, and a totora reed boat from Bolivia.

Dr. Dirk Van Tuerenhout, Curator of Anthropology for HMNS, emphasizes that the Hall presents stories that evoke both joy and reflection. It invites visitors to contemplate the ongoing impact of colonization, land theft, violence towards Indigenous women, and the legacy of residential schools aimed at assimilating Indigenous children.

The museum is honored to collaborate with a distinguished group representing Indigenous peoples from across the Americas, providing valuable guidance on Native perspectives. Current and former HMNS Indigenous Advisory Group members include Concepción Poou Coy Tharin, a Q’eqchi’ Maya artist preserving traditional weaving techniques; Candace Linklater of Moose Cree First Nation, an Indigenous Peoples Reconciliation Educator; Dr. Linda Langley from McNeese State University (retired), an anthropologist focused on preserving endangered languages; Diego Romero of Cochiti Pueblo, an artist skilled in both traditional and contemporary Indian pottery; Wendi Schovanec, a Cheyenne developer of tribal-specific academic resources for educators; Cara Romero, a citizen of the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe and an award-winning photographer; and Yolanda Poncho, a member of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas, current Tribal Council member, and co-creator of the Alabama-Coushatta Cultural Committee.