On February 5 the Museum of Northern Arizona’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Hopi Tribe. This action followed the unanimous approval of the MOU by the Hopi Tribal Council on January 6. Attending the Council meeting from MNA were Director Robert Breunig and Board Chair Susan Garretson. Also in attendance was Leigh Kuwanwisiwma, Cultural Preservation Officer for the Hopi Tribe and MNA board member.
The MOU is a document that lays the foundation for future collaboration between the Museum and the Hopi Tribe. It outlines procedures for cooperative projects and initiatives. In his address to the Council, Breunig said MNA and the Hopi people have had a close relationship, based on informal ties, for 76 years since the Museum’s founding in 1928.
“This document moves that relationship to a new level and ensures Hopi participation in projects of mutual interest. It provides a mechanism for giving the Hopi a strong voice in matters relating to Hopi culture at MNA,” said Breunig.
Hopi Tribal Chairman Wayne Taylor echoed the desire for a stronger, more formal relationship and voiced his support by saying, “This is an important opportunity for the tribal government to take advantage of. With a respectful partnership with the Museum, we can better represent the Hopi people. Indeed, the MOU gives the Hopi people a strong voice in how we shape our ideas into results.” Mr. Kuwanwisiwma also stated his support for the agreement: “…The new direction of the Museum under the current leadership enables the Hopi people and their government officials a unique opportunity to be a key player in Museum initiatives.”
Specifically the MOU provides for consultation and collaboration of various educational initiatives including: development of exhibits and education programs relating to Hopi culture; reorganization of the Hopi Mural Project, an exhibit initiative in process at MNA; Hopi involvement in the management of culturally sensitive collections; collaboration with the Hopi Tribe and Northern Arizona University on the establishment of training programs for Hopis in the field of Museum Studies; MNA assistance in the establishment of a new Hopi Tribal Museum and education center on the Hopi Reservation; and mutual exploration of new directions for the annual Hopi Festival in support of the perpetuation of Hopi art and craft traditions. MNA will also continue to serve as a repository for special Hopi tribal collections.
“It is our hope that this MOU can be a model agreement for how museums and Indian tribes can work together now and in the future in the spirit of collaboration and mutual respect. MNA desires to develop similar MOUs with all of the tribes that are represented with significant collections at the Museum,” said Breunig.
A formal signing ceremony for the MOU is scheduled for the March 10 meeting of the Hopi Tribal Council at the Hopi Tribal Hall in Kykotsmovi, Arizona. Members can view the complete agreement on MNA’s website.