When you visit the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma, you’ll see a red circular structure with a four-letter phrase written across the top: “This Is Native Land.” 

It’s the name of the museum’s permanent exhibit that opened in October. The phrase is a reminder that you’ve probably seen many times...

But don’t be lulled into thinking you’ll know what to expect. It has been given a new lens. 

We went to Tacoma a few months ago to talk with the curators behind "This Is Native Land" about how the exhibit came together... and how it challenges the typical ways that museums portray Indigenous people. 

Guests:
Todd Clark, tribal liaison for the Washington State Historical Society and co-curator of “This Is Native Land.”
Danica Sterud Miller,associate professor of American Indian Studies at the University of Washington Tacoma and co-curator of "This Is Native Land." 

Related links
This Is Native Land - Washington State Historical Society
Washington State History Museum opens new exhibit, 'This is Native Land' | Puyallup Tribe
‘This is Native Land' explores Washington state history through contemporary art | KNKX Public Radio

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

When you visit the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma, you&rsquo;ll see a red circular structure with a four-letter phrase written across the top: &ldquo;This Is Native Land.&rdquo;&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s the name of the museum&rsquo;s permanent exhibit that opened in October. The phrase is a reminder that you&rsquo;ve probably seen many times...
But don&rsquo;t be lulled into thinking you&rsquo;ll know what to expect. It has been given a new lens.&nbsp;
We went to Tacoma a few months ago to talk with the curators behind "This Is Native Land" about how the exhibit came together... and how it challenges the typical ways that museums portray Indigenous people.&nbsp;
Guests:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Todd Clark, tribal liaison for the Washington State Historical Society and co-curator of &ldquo;This Is Native Land.&rdquo;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Danica Sterud Miller, associate professor of American Indian Studies at the University of Washington Tacoma and co-curator of "This Is Native Land."&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Related links
<ul>
<li><a href="https://prd.washingtonhistory.org/exhibit/this-is-native-land/">This Is Native Land - Washington State Historical Society</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.puyalluptribe-nsn.gov/news/washington-state-history-museum-opens-new-exhibit-this-is-native-land/">Washington State History Museum opens new exhibit, 'This is Native Land' | Puyallup Tribe</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.knkx.org/arts-culture/2025-10-28/this-is-native-land-washington-state-history-museum-contemporary-indigenous-art">&lsquo;This is Native Land' explores Washington state history through contemporary art | KNKX Public Radio</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

The Washington State History Museum in Tacoma has a new, permanent exhibit called "This Is Native Land." The curators pushed back on the typical narratives of Native Americans that they saw in other museums. 