Viewing page 139 of 239

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

-108-
-3-

life, the past record of Indian cultures, and the aesthetic dimensions of Indian objects deserve substantive treatment by all Smithsonian agencies and departments committed to the depiction and interpretation of the Indian experience.

In this connection the Council applauds the appointment of American Indian scholars within both the National Museum of Natural History and the National Museum of American History. We are also impressed by the plans of the Department of Anthropology of the NMNH to redo completely the American Indian exhibition halls, and the concern shown with the place of American Indians in the recently opened NMAH exhibition, America After The Revolution.

The increased awareness of the Indian communities' needs as they seek recovery of their own past, revitalization of cultural institutions,and a more fully articulated place in American society promises to enlarge the range of scientific understanding within Smithsonian research and service areas. But the newly strengthened links with the Indian community and its educational institutions should be matched, as several staff members pointed out, by the Smithsonian's forging closer relationships with the national scientific community, especially with those museums and universities, like the Field Museum in Chicago and the American Museum of Natural History in New York, that operate strong programs in Native American Studies. There may be much to learn on all sides, and we wish to encourage similar initiatives with appropriate public and corporate foundations. Indeed its traditional position in Indian cultural studies would justify the Smithsonian in assuming a leading organizing role here. The Council considers the quincentenary programs as a special opportunity to expand collaboration with other institutions, and strengthen inter-bureau cooperation as well.

To mark such progress, the Council would welcome a brief account at its next meeting. Among other things this could summarize negotiations covering contested remains/objects during the year. We would, at that time, like to learn more about other accomplishments, including training program activities, staff changes and additions, exhibitions, outreach programs, and initiatives undertaken for outside funding. There is a sense of promise and an element of forcefulness in recent planning. We hope next year's report can indicate continuing progress. 

To speak of next year's report means to think of next year's agenda. At its Sunday meeting the Council discussed a range of possible areas. Five subjects emerged. The most popular, by far, was a broadly-defined consideration of International Programs at the Smithsonian, something that might include institutional conferences, programs, fellowships, relations with counterparts abroad, exhibitions, and the administrative arrangements. In this area we hope to hear more about the Quincentenary plans as well. Four other possibilities also had broad support. They included the Air and Space Museum, which has a recently appointed Director; the Cooper Hewitt Museum in New York City, which will have a new Director and may represent an opportunity to talk about Smithsonian bureaus outside of Washington; the Archives, Libraries, and Publication Programs of the Smithsonian as a whole, including new technologies of production, storage, and dissemination; and finally, the History of Science as it is researched, described, and exhibited at the Smithsonian. Obviously, the timing and coordination of these matters will have to be worked on, but Council members expressed satisfaction with committee meetings that can produce position papers in advance and work out the agenda, permitting the larger discussion to draw out opinions and reactions.