1st International Indigenous Museums Symposium “Indigenous × Museum” — Collaboration, Dialogue, and Reimagination —

This inaugural “International Indigenous Museums Symposium” brings together directors of six Indigenous museums from places currently called the United States, Australia, Finland, and Japan to discuss the complex and sensitive relationship between Indigenous Peoples and museums. In recent years, museums around the world have seen active discussion on the handling of collections linked to colonial past, the importance of perspective in exhibitions, and questions of research ethics. Meanwhile, museums founded by Indigenous Peoples have been serving their communities as spaces for practicing cultural knowledge and as important repositories of memory. The theme “Indigenous × Museums” is not only about reclaiming a lost past, but about how Indigenous Peoples are bringing new perspectives and renewed meaning to museums today.

Over the two days of discussion, guided by the key concepts of “collaboration, dialogue, and reimagination,” the symposium will address the complexity and sensitivity of Indigenous museums, as well as their significance, responsibilities, and future roles.

Date

February 7 (Sat) – February 8 (Sun), 2026

Venue

UPOPOY National Ainu Museum and Park

Fee

Free of Charge

• Priority for reservations. Upopoy admission required.
• One-Year Pass recommended for two-day attendance.

Language

Japanese – English simultaneous interpretation (both days)