ROHNERT PARK, Calif. (February 8, 2023) – Greg Sarris, Chairman, Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, has been elected Chair of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. The museum’s goal is to foster a richer shared human experience through a more informed understanding of Native peoples. Museum programs include Native Knowledge 360° (NK360°), a set of teaching resources providing educators and students with new perspectives on Native American history and cultures.
The museum’s Board of Trustees also added five new members to serve staggered three-year terms. Additional information about the museum is available here.
“I’m honored to have been elected as chair of the board of Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian,” Sarris said. “I’m excited and look forward to working with the trustees.”
The National Museum of the American Indian Board of Trustees
Greg Sarris (Graton Rancheria), chair
Robert R. McGhee (Poarch Creek), vice chair
Olivia Hoeft (Oneida Nation of Wisconsin), secretary
Barbara Davis Blum
Pearl Brower (Inupiaq and Chippewa)
Donna Brown (Turtle Mountain Chippewa)
Quincalee Brown
Johnson Cerda (Kichwa)
Kathy Hopinkah Hannan (Ho-Chunk)
Lacey Horn (Cherokee Nation)
Shari M. Huhndorf (Yupˊik)
G. Peter Jemison (Seneca)
Emil’ Keme (K’iche’ Maya Nation)
Elaine F. Peters (Ak-Chin)
Angela Riley (Citizen Potawatomi Nation)
Ann Silverman (Ojibwe)
Gregory A. Smith
Valerie Smith
Josh Spear
Julie Fate Sullivan (Koyukon Athabascan)
The Honorable Brian Vallo (Pueblo of Acoma)
Bob Weis
Leslie Wheelock (Oneida Nation of Wisconsin)
Ex Officio
Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian
Kevin Gover (Pawnee), Smithsonian’s Under Secretary for Museums and Culture
About the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria
Graton Rancheria is a federally recognized Indian tribe comprising Coast Miwok and Southern Pomo Indians. Legislation restoring federal recognition to the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria was signed into law in December 2000. Tribal lands are located in Rohnert Park, Sonoma County, Calif. For more information, visit www.gratonrancheria.com.
About the Museum
In partnership with Native peoples and their allies, the National Museum of the American Indian fosters a richer shared human experience through a more informed understanding of Native peoples. The museum in Washington, D.C., is located on the National Mall at Fourth Street and Independence Avenue S.W. The museum in New York City is located at One Bowling Green. Connect with the museum on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and AmericanIndian.si.edu.