The makah indian tribe, working through the makah cultural and research center (mcrc), will develop rotating exhibits of 120 ethnographic items removed from makah territory, which are being returned…

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded the Makah Indian Tribe $249,438 on September 1, 2026, under the Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services Program (CFDA 45.308) to develop rotating exhibits of 120 ethnographic items being returned to the tribe on loan from the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian. The work is performed through the Makah Cultural and Research Center in Neah Bay, Washington.

The tribe will contract with exhibit design and installation professionals to develop, fabricate, and install revised text panels, bilingual labels, and upgraded exhibits. By returning these culturally significant materials to the Neah Bay community, the project will improve tribal access to heritage collections, build MCRC staff experience in exhibit design, interpretation, and cultural care practices, and provide visitors of all ages with more engaging and informative exhibits. Performance extends through August 31, 2028.

The makah indian tribe, working through the makah cultural and research center (mcrc), will develop rotating exhibits of 120 ethnographic items removed from makah territory, which are being returned to the tribe on loan from the smithsonian institution's national museum of the american indian. The tribe will contract and collaborate with exhibit design and installation professionals to develop, fabricate, and install revised text panels, bilingual labels, and upgraded exhibits. By returning these items back to the neah BAY community, the makah tribe will have improved access to culturally significant materials, the mcrc staff will gain experience in exhibit design, interpretation, and cultural care practices, and mcrc visitors of all ages will gain new knowledge via more engaging and informative exhibits.