Breaking News! Oceanic Exhibitions in 2026

ID: WMA2026_646

Track: Indigenous

This past year saw major exhibitions at the Guam Museum, the National Museum of the American Indian, and the British Museum. Indigenous curators and community leaders share about some of the most significant museum installations in decades — from the rematriation of CHamoru latte stones, to a showcase of the political relationship between the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi and the U.K., to an overview of the complex and nuanced history of the Hawaiian Nation.

Session Information

Format: Regular session/panel (roundtable, single speaker, etc.)

Uniqueness: Major Oceanic museum projects create opportunities to understand and connect with these important histories, issues, and ideas – and the process behind the scenes.

Objectives: Attendees will further understand CHamoru history and culture, and the history and relationality of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Panelists will share insights about the challenges and opportunities of working with and within institutions, as they navigated the complex terrain of the museum world. Panelists will cover approaches they have taken to center Indigenous perspectives and value systems, including the concept of rematriation as a culturally centered process of welcoming treasures home.

Engagement: While presentational, the audience will be encouraged to ask questions and share their own knowledge and experiences for everyone’s benefit.

Relationship to Theme:

Audience

Audiences: Curators/Scientists/Historians Events Planning Registrars, Collections Managers 

Professional Level: All levels 

Scalability: For professionals both inside and outside of institutions, this presentation and subsequent discussion is relevant for those who represent and/or champion cultural treasures and subject matter dear to them, and those who welcome such content into their spaces to uplift voices and narratives. Strategies for working within resource limitations, and designing for them, will be covered.

Participants