Tribes praise new museum

Forrest Cuch, director of the state Division of Indian Affairs, said he was impressed with the museum, although he'd like to see more representation of Utah's tribes.

"We're such a small percentage of the tribal nations throughout the country. I have not seen us represented here per se," said Cuch, who was in Washington for the opening. "It was disappointing they didn't have our book, 'History of Utah's American Indians.' "

Cuch said he sent that book to West but noted, "It takes time to get all the bases covered. We'll make sure they offer it."

Officials say it is virtually impossible to represent all native groups in its exhibits. But they have promised exhibits will be rotated regularly, and all groups should be represented within eight years of the opening.

Cuch said he hasn't been through the entire museum, but from what he's seen so far, "They did an excellent job."

"I think it's an opportunity for people to truly connect with the true history of the United States and the Americas," he said. "My understanding is this is the last space taken up (on the National Mall). It's definitely a little bit late. It's also a wonderful time right now. . . . A greater appreciation of American Indians' contributions is evolving at this time."

He said he has heard some disappointment that the Great Basin tribes were underrepresented. Those tribes stretch from the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the west to the Rockies in the east and include the Shoshone, Ute, Goshute and Paiute nations, with populations between 20,000 and 30,000, he said.

"It'll take time," he said. "We'll make sure we're included here."

Being left out in the historical discussion is nothing new to the Northwestern Shoshone, said Timbimboo-Madsen, who was unable to attend the ceremonies. When the tribe, currently with 442 members, started collecting history books for its library, "It was disappointing to see very little on our tribe."

She said the only contact her tribe received from the museum was several years ago when somebody called to ask how the word "welcome" was said in Shoshone.

"That's pretty much the last we ever heard of it. They thought they might use it, and never did say if they would or not," she said.

"I would hope to be able to try to tell them, you know, 'Don't forget us, we're part of history, too,' " she said.

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