Native American campaigners have raised concerns about the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s first curator of Native American art, Patricia Marroquin Norby, who does not belong to a federally recognized tribe in the US. Marroquin Norby was appointed in 2020 amidst much fanfare, but questions about her indigenous heritage have surfaced after she described herself as “Apache,” “Purepacha/Tarascan,” and “Nde,” which are not recognized tribal affiliations in the US.
Despite Marroquin Norby’s claims of being Purepacha, a Mexican indigenous group, Native American researchers have disputed her connection to any indigenous heritage. The Museum declined to make her available for interview and later confirmed that she is of Purepacha descent, a group not recognized by the US Department of the Interior’s Indian Affairs division. This controversy has led to discussions about individuals falsely claiming to be tribal members, known as “pretendians,” such as actress Sacheen Littlefeather and singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie.
Native American activists have questioned Marroquin Norby’s claims of being Purepacha, with one member stating that she wants to be the only indigenous person in the room, which does not serve the community. There have been red flags about shifting claims of Native identities and connections to different tribes, leading to skepticism among the Native American community. Marroquin Norby, who grew up in the Chicago area and only began proclaiming her indigenous roots as an adult, has faced criticism for her shifting claims of heritage.
Marroquin Norby, who is married to a veterinarian and has engaged in Native American ceremonies, has been involved in various advocacy efforts, including suing a school district over a mascot depicting a Native American. She has a PhD in American Studies and has worked in indigenous studies centers at institutions such as the University of Minnesota and the Newberry Library in Chicago. Her appointment at the Met followed a brief tenure at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in New York City.
The controversy surrounding Marroquin Norby’s heritage has prompted discussions about the need for institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art to educate themselves about American Indian sovereignty. Critics argue that the Museum’s focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion without proper due diligence is a disservice to the Native American community and risks perpetuating erasure of their identities. The ongoing debate highlights the importance of authentic representation and respect for indigenous cultures in museum spaces and beyond.
