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As Americans celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this year, a new exhibition considers the meaning of the United States flag from Indigenous perspectives. 鈥淪tars, Stripes and First Americans鈥� opens at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture on Sunday, May 17, and will remain on view through March 7, 2027.

Elisa Phelps, the museum鈥檚 head of curatorial affairs, curated the show.

鈥淲e wanted to do something to recognize the 250th anniversary of the country, but given the focus of this museum, (we wondered) what would be appropriate,鈥� Phelps said. 鈥淚n thinking about the collection, we realized that we have a number of pieces that have the American flag included in them.鈥�

The objects range in date from the late-19th century through the 21st.

鈥淲e have some beautiful late-19th century beadwork made by Lakota women artists. Then, we also have contemporary pieces, like inlaid earrings by a Santa Domingo Pueblo artist and an amazing woven Din茅 textile that features 鈥� stars and stripes in the background and an image of the Twin Towers,鈥� Phelps said. 鈥淭he artist wove 鈥楽eptember 11, 2001,鈥� into the textile, and it was made right after that.鈥�

A number of works are imbued with a patriotic spirit and celebrate Indigenous contributions to United States history.

鈥淎nother beautiful painting with the flag as the background features a Navajo Code Talker,鈥� Phelps said. 鈥淭hat was very resonant, because Native veterans hold an esteemed place, and military service is venerated. 鈥� So, acknowledging the Code Talkers and the role they played was important.鈥�

Phelps said Indigenous people have served in the U.S. military since the Revolutionary War and continue to serve at a higher rate than other groups.

鈥淭here is a tradition of warriors 鈥� within the culture itself, which has translated into respect for military service,鈥� she said.

Other works in the show 鈥� particularly the 19th century beaded pieces 鈥� reflect a more nuanced relationship to American identity. For many 19th-century Lakota, the emblem of the American flag was used as a survival strategy.

鈥淧eople are probably curious as to why, particularly with the historic pieces, (Indigenous) people would put the flag in their designs. And the Lakota seemed to incorporate that design a lot,鈥� Phelps said. 鈥淚f you think about what was going on in the late-19th century, folks by that point had been forced onto reservations, and their cultural celebrations, their ceremonies and their religion had been outlawed. So, one way that they could continue their cultural practices was under the guise of celebrating July Fourth.鈥�

鈥淪tars, Stripes and First Americans鈥� consists of 10 objects, but Phelps said it鈥檚 a unique opportunity to see pieces from the museum鈥檚 collection that are rarely exhibited.

She hopes it will inspire museum-goers to reflect on the many complex, overlapping meanings that the American flag has carried for Indigenous communities over time.

鈥淭he flag has been a symbol of resistance. It鈥檚 been a way to carry on cultural practices under the guise of patriotism. It鈥檚 been a mark of honor for warriors, and I think it鈥檚 also been a symbol of cultural revitalization,鈥� Phelps said. 鈥�... The variety and layers of meaning are, to me, what makes it interesting.鈥�

Logan Royce Beitmen is an arts writer for the sa国际传媒官网网页入口. He covers visual art, music, fashion, theater and more. Reach him at lbeitmen@abqjournal.com or on Instagram at .