20 Years of Learning: St. Labre Students Make Their Spring Visit

While a late April snow fell on Cody, St. Labre students Mystic Anderson, Layla Nomee, Paxon Bearcomesout, Shaelee Bearchum, George Catubay, and Gladys Bahr made their spring visit to the Center of the West. The students participated in the biannual, two-day museum studies course held at the Center of the West. Working with staff, the students immersed themselves in museum curation, exhibition design, and learned what goes on behind the scenes.

An enthusiastic, curious group, the students dove headfirst into their courses led by staff members. Mount making, box assembly, object handling, and exhibition design were met with passion and dedication from the students. They even got to test and give their opinions on a new interactive kiosk for the Draper.

Skills the students learned from staff and their classes at St. Labre are utilized in the final project of their visit: designing and curating a case. Choosing objects from the Plains Museum collection, they researched before their visit. Students proudly display their hard work in a bright yellow and blue case located to the left of the Plains Indian Museum entrance.

The students had a lot to say about their experiences at the Center of the West:

– Mystic Anderson, Tsitsistas (Northern Cheyenne)

“During my first experience at Buffalo Bill Center of the West was fantastic and educational. The welcoming of the staff was very heartwarming, especially having an Apsáalooke/Yakama tribal member known as Hunter Old Elk, (Curator of the Plains Indian Museum), come to talk to us about the objects and how the museum works. I went back in time when we walked through the Plains Indian Museum and seeing how many vaults they have was an amazing sight to see.”

– Layla Nomee, Apsáalooke (Crow)

“Coming back to experience this again since last coming here in Sophomore year of high school, my memory was refreshed, and I relearned a lot during this trip. From how to handle objects, to how to make a display, and how much time and effort museums put into making sure that the artifacts are taken care of and are represented accurately. Overall, I had a great experience at the Museum; the staff was so helpful and informative, and overall again, I had a great time at the Museum.”

  – Paxon Bearcomesout  Tsitsistas/ Apsáalooke (Northern Cheyenne/ Crow)

“Seeing all the objects made by the hands of my people in showcases made me feel for those of the past. In my mind, I kept thinking about how I would feel to see my belongings so delicately cared for and loved for a “simple” reason. “Simple” when it meets the eye, but when you really give your time to this object/concept, you’ll begin to realize its meaning, its beauty…its story. “How would this maker feel standing right here, seeing their common work being history?” For them, it was everyday life for everyday problems. To comprehend the value of it now is different from what it was back then. I was mainly astonished at the fact of how time works and changes in everything. To put it into context, imagine if you were a Plains Indian that time-traveled a hundred years forward, from 1870 to 2026…you’d wonder why your Tipi is inside a massive, funny-looking building. (You live outside and never saw a house before…you’re the one who thinks it’s funny!)

Timeline is key, and preservation is in effect.”

– Shaelee Bearchum, Tsitsistas (Northern Cheyenne)

“I had a very good experience at the museum; I had lots of fun and I definitely learned a lot of things I have not yet. I had a great time handling objects and seeing Plains Indian material culture at its best. Historical things plains tribes people used long ago, such tools. I had a very pleasurable time with the curators and other staff. We all appreciate their effort for giving us their best, and to educate us on their topic of expertise. The staff showed us numerous aspects of museum work ethics, and what they do best in the museum.”

– George Catubay, Filipino

“On the Museum Study trip to Cody, Wyoming, we went to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West Center, and during our visit, we got to explore all five museums. We spent most of our time in the vaults underneath the Plains Indian Museum. Spending time in the vaults made me love my college major even more, Anthropology. Danni and Hunter are the curators of the Plains Indian Museum, they led us through every part of the museum, under and all. We got to experience how to place valuable material culture objects in showcases before we got to set up our own display. Making our own display and setting it up in the museum was such a great experience that I would go again if I could. Which is possible because Danni offered me an idea of coming back to an internship, and I might have to take that offer.”

– Gladys Bahr, Tsitsistas (Northern Cheyenne)

We’d like to thank Center staff members for assisting the St. Labre students during their visit: Karen McWhorter and Dr. Ashlea Espinal of the Whitney Western Art Museum, Corey Anco and Amy Phillips of the Draper Natural History Museum, Jordan Davis with Exhibition Production, Bev Perkins with Conservation, and Michael Chatman with the IT Department.