Cobell: Gover's hiring an affront to Native people

Tuesday, September 18, 2007  

"The appointment of Kevin Gover, a former Interior Department official with no museum experience, to head the National Museum of the American Indian is an affront to Native Americans.

This is the latest in a long pattern of insider deals by Smithsonian Institution administrators that has brought this wonderful organization into disrepute.

As a member of the museum's board of trustees, I was shocked. When search committee members asked if the new director's name should be brought before the full board, they were told, "No, this is a confidential matter." The board was never consulted.

This is about the role of trustees. We are not an exhibit, just for show. And we are not wooden Indians."

Get the Story:
Elouise Cobell: The Smithsonian's Troubling Pattern (The Washington Post 9/18)
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Relevant Links:
National Museum of the American Indian - http://www.nmai.si.edu
Indian Trust: Cobell v. Kempthorne - http://www.indiantrust.com

Related Stories:
Whites outnumber Indians on NMAI search panel (9/17)
Editorial: Kevin Gover, experience and NMAI (9/14)
Gover defends record after criticism from Cobell (9/13)
Cobell blasts Gover's appointment to NMAI (9/12)
Kevin Gover to take over NMAI on December 2 (9/12)
Kevin Gover named new director of NMAI (9/11)