St. Labre Spring Visit April 2023

For the sixteenth spring, the Plains Indian Museum hosted high school students, tribal elders, and instructors from St. Labre Indian School in Ashland, Montana. The student’s spring visit is part of a collaborative program between St. Labre Indian Schools and the Plains Indian Museum. A’Lairyn Brady, Jerome Fox, Peyton Killsnight, Akyla Redbird, and LeiyahDawn Spotted Elk examined objects and learned practical museum procedures. The student’s visit consisted of two days of intense lessons, tours, and activities with Center staff from the curatorial departments, collections management, exhibit production, registration, and conservation. Using information learned in class, the students selected and researched the objects for this case. They arranged, mounted, and exhibited their choices by modeling lessons from staff. The students represented the Northern & Southern Cheyenne, Crow, Hunkpapa Lakota, and Northern Arapaho Nations.

The Plains Indian Museum staff is deeply impressed by the student’s knowledge of traditional material cultures, including toy cradles, moccasins, pouches, knife cases, and home decor. Their exhibition case can be viewed through Summer 2023 at the entrance of the Plains Indian Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.

“My experience at the Plains Indian Museum was very rewarding. It was very nice to be able to handle objects from the collections which the public wouldn’t see. It was really good to be blessed by our tribal elders to start our journey at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. I had fun doing the activity in the Whitney Western Art Museum and finding the different artworks around this specific museum. I found it very intriguing to see Hayden, the Swanson’s Hawk up close because I’ve never seen a bird up close like that before. To end, what an amazing experience to set up our own exhibit in the Plains Indian Museum. I am happy I was part of this Museum Study Field trip at the Buffalo Center of the West.” -Jerome Fox (Cheyenne/ Oglala Sioux).

“I enjoyed my time at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. I really connected with the Plains Indian Museum because it was very educational to see how our ancestors made clothing and material cultural elements in the early days. I learned a lot behind the scenes about how to set up a display and handle objects. I would say my personal favorite was the Cody Firearms Museum. Also, the staff was very nice and polite and were very professional. I definitely will go back to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.” -Peyton Killsnight (Cheyenne/ Crow)

“My overall experience on this trip was excellent! Seeing the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and getting close to my ancestors’ material culture objects was amazing. Being able to handle historical pieces with good intentions was fantastic. Also, learning from the staff how they make mounts from plexiglass was very instructive and how each mount fits an object to go on display. I am proud of my Cheyenne culture, especially knowing that the beaded material culture objects came from our ancestors.” -LeiyahDawn Spotted Elk (Cheyenne/ Hunkpapa Sioux)

“Throughout my second time at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, I have to say it was definitely different from the last time I came. It always seems so amazing to me. The staff was great to us and very informative. I extended my learning experience this time and got more information. I got to experience different activities than my first time at the Center. It is a very nice place to be.” -Akyla Red Bird (Cheyenne/ Hunkpapa Sioux)

“The professionalism of the staff was gorgeous and not erroneous! The activities were engaging, and I learned by taking notes alongside the explanations of the mentors of the museum. Understanding the jobs of the museum is crazy, and the work it takes to keep the Buffalo Bill Center of the West running. I enjoyed my museum experience and wish to visit again.” -A’Lairyn Brady (Cheyenne)

Akyla and A’Lairyn were returning St. Labre students.

A special thanks from Plains Indian Museum staff Dr. Gordan Ambrosino and Hunter Old Elk to the following staff who provided tours and activities to the students: Heather Bender, Indian Education for All Specialist; Graham Pooley, Exhibitions Production Manager; Dr. Ashlea Espinel, Curatorial Assistant of the Whitney Western Art Museum; Amy Phillips, Curatorial Assistant of the Draper Natural History Museum; Sally Disque and Chloe Winkler, Draper Natural History Raptor Program Volunteers, and finally Avian Ambassador Hayden, Swanson’s Hawk.

We are especially grateful to Beverly Perkins, Chief Conservator, who graciously offered the students the use of her lab and provided invaluable support to them and their advisors.