Exploring the spatial narratives of the Mi’kmaw exhibits in the Museum of Natural History

Abstract

Spatial narratives are a misused component of the Museum of Natural History that contribute to the misrepresentation of the Mi'kmaq, their history, and culture. The Museum of Natural History problematically represents Indigenous peoples through spatial narratives that communicate wider issues occurring at natural history museums in general. Methods used were composed of physical visits to the site complemented with interviews conducted with senior staff. Findings reveal that with proper interactions and collaborations with local Mi'kmaw communities it is possible to properly represent Mi'kmaw history and culture. However, as visitors can be highly impacted by museum environments, it is crucial to understand the colonial connotations of natural history museums and their role in displaying the Mi'kmaq may not be appropriate. To be a more inclusive and neutral space, natural history museums should dedicate whole spaces to learning about the Mi'kmaq with active collaborations from the local Indigenous communities.