Date of Award
2-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Art History and Visual Culture
Department
Art
First Advisor
Nadia McDonald
Abstract
Erika Tenorio’s thesis explores the intersection of Westward Expansion, American museums, and Indigenous communities, analyzing how 19th- and 20th-century expansionist policies shaped museum collections and Indigenous representation. The study examines how the ideology of Manifest Destiny, rooted in the Doctrine of Discovery, justified the forced removal of Native Americans and facilitated the collection of Indigenous artifacts by museums. Many of these institutions, influenced by Western colonial perspectives, portrayed Native cultures as relics of the past rather than as living traditions.
The research incorporates postcolonial and decolonial methodologies to assess evolving narratives within museums, focusing on Indigenous sovereignty, repatriation efforts, and the enactment of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The thesis highlights challenges in implementing repatriation policies and addresses ongoing debates about authority over cultural heritage. Additionally, it evaluates the role of tribal museums and cultural centers in reclaiming Indigenous narratives.
By analyzing historical art, legal frameworks, and contemporary museum practices, Tenorio argues for the continued need to challenge colonial legacies in museum spaces. The study ultimately advocates for stronger collaborations between museums and Indigenous communities, emphasizing the importance of accurate representation and ethical stewardship of cultural materials.
Recommended Citation
Tenorio, Erika, "The Historical Role of Westward Expansion Between American Museums and Indigenous Tribes" (2025). Theses. 1310.
https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/theses/1310
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
