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Native America Calling: Rewriting the historical context for Native Americans
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
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Rewriting the historical context for Native Americans
Culture keepers and historians are closely watching President Donald Trump’s review of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) to eliminate what he calls derisive or partisan narratives.

With facilities in Washington, D.C., Maryland and New York City, the NMAI is among eight institutions that are currently under review. Exhibits include Native American perspectives on historical documents and events that include treaties, Indian Boarding Schools, the Termination Era, the American Indian Movement, and the Indian Child Welfare Act, among many others.

Those watching are concerned Trump’s directive could permanently alter how those topics are presented to the public. NMAI also develops educational curricula that counters incomplete instruction on historical events, like Thanksgiving.

Tune into Native America Calling to hear from those who were instrumental in NMAI’s founding, as well as get perspective on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s announcement that soldiers that took part in the Wounded Knee Massacre would retain their Medals of Honor.

National Museum of the American Indian
A display about Native Americans in the U.S. armed forces is among the many exhibits created by the National Museum of the American Indian, shown here on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Photo by Indianz.Com (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

Guests on Native America Calling
Dr. Suzan Shown Harjo (Cheyenne and Hodulgee Muscogee), president of the Morning Star Institute, a founding trustee of the National Museum of the American Indian, and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Rick West Jr. (Cheyenne and Arapaho), CEO emeritus of the Autry Museum of the American West and founding director of the National Museum of the American Indian

OJ Semans Sr. (Rosebud Sioux), co-executive director of Four Directions Vote

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