At the Annual Members Meeting yesterday, membership passed without objection Resolution 2025-01 Supporting The Renaming of the Sheldon Jackson Museum.
- Whereas, the Sheldon Jackson Museum, established in 1887, houses one of Alaska’s most important collections of Alaska Native material culture and serves as a vital educational, cultural, and community resource; and
- Whereas, the museum collection reflects the complex historical relationship between Alaska Native peoples and colonial institutions, including the boarding school system and missionary activities of the late 19th and early 20th centuries; and
- Whereas, museums across North America and the world are actively working to address their colonial legacies and grow more inclusive relationships with Indigenous communities; and
- Whereas, recent successful name changes in the Sitkan community, such as the renaming of Baranof Elementary School to Xóots Elementary School, demonstrate the positive impact of thoughtful engagement with questions of naming practices and representation; and
- Whereas, the Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to supporting the museum programs, recognizes that the authority to rename the museum rests with the either Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) and/or State Legislature; and
- Whereas, the Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum is committed to supporting the museum’s mission to serve all Alaskans while acknowledging and respecting Alaska Native perspectives, values, and cultural sovereignty; and
- Whereas, a name change process, developed through appropriate consultation and collaboration, could strengthen the museum’s relationships with Alaska Native communities and better reflect its role as a 21st century cultural institution and resource; now therefore, be it
- Resolved, that the Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum expresses its support for initiating a process to rename the Sheldon Jackson Museum through appropriate state channels; and be it further
- Resolved, that this expression of support encourages appropriate state authorities to engage in consultation with Alaska Native organizations, cultural leaders, and other stakeholders in considering potential new names for the museum; and be it further
- Resolved, that copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Alaska State Museum, the Division of Libraries, Archives and Museums, the Alaska State Board of Education, and other relevant state authorities.
- Adopted this 3rd day of May 2025 by the membership of the Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum and attested by the board of directors
As board president, Melissa Fouse said at the meeting, “We will send it out to the museum, and the board of education, and other relevant authorities.”