Chrysler Museum of Art Reaffirms Commitment to Indigenous Peoples with Land Acknowledgement

July 21, 2023 (Norfolk, Va.) – The Chrysler Museum of Art unveiled a bronze plaque recognizing the Indigenous Peoples, the traditional stewards of Tsenacommacah, the land on which the Museum is located, has been placed in Huber Court. The acknowledgment affirms the Chrysler Museum’s commitment to honoring the Indigenous Peoples whose cultural heritage and artwork is currently held in its collection.

The Chrysler Museum formed a Native Advisory Committee in 2022 to help shape the institution’s programming and indigenous collection through support and feedback. The committee is made up of twelve individuals from across the state, representing several indigenous cultures:

• Ken Custalow – Chickahominy Eastern Division, Tribal Relations Manager, Dominion Energy
• Sylvia Nery-Strickland – Member, Cheroenhaka Nottoway Tribe
• Keith Anderson – Principal Chief, Nansemond Indian Nation
• Lynette Allston – Chief, Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia
• Shaleigh Howells – Cultural Resource Director & Museum Director, Pamunkey Indian Tribe
• Bernard Means, Ph.D. – Teaching Assistant Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University
• Nikki Bass – Nansemond Indian Nation, Tribal Council Vice Chair
• Danielle Moretti-Langholtz, Ph.D. – Curator of Native American Art, Muscarelle Museum of Art
• Kevin Krigsvold – CEO/President, Pamunkey Indian Enterprises-Professional Services
• Michael Cloud Butler – Ojibwe American Indian from Lac Courte Oreilles, Wisconsin & Artist
• Hans VonKruger – SVP, Market Executive – Bank of America
• Lee Lockamy – Chief Emeritus, Nansemond Indian Nation

“On behalf of the Nansemond Indian Nation, we are very proud to join our sister tribes, the Chrysler Museum of Art, and supporting partners to celebrate the acknowledgment and significance of indigenous people in the Norfolk community,” said Chief Keith Anderson, Nansemond Indian Nation. “As we move forward, it is imperative that initiatives like this continue throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, we applaud and thank the Chrysler for its efforts to be an invaluable pioneer in endeavors such as these.” Chief Anderson added.

The ceremony, held on July 21 at 11:30 am, began with a blessing by Chief Mark T. Fallingstar Custalow, Mattaponi Indian Tribe. Remarks given by Chief Keith Anderson, Nansemond Indian Nation, Chief Walter David “Red Hawk” Brown, III, Cheroenhaka Nottoway Indian Tribe of Southampton, Kevin Krigsvold, CEO/President, Pamunkey Indian Enterprises, LaVoris Pace, Deputy City Manager, City of Norfolk, Erik Neil, Macon and Joan Brock Director of the Chrysler Museum of Art, and Kirk Levy, Esq., Vice Chairman, Chrysler Museum Board of Trustees. A group of dignitaries and members of the public attended the dedication.

“We want to thank the members of the Native Advisory Council for devoting their time and expertise to the Chrysler Museum,” said Erik Neil, Macon and Joan Brock Director of the Chrysler Museum of Art. “Their ideas, thoughts, and guidance have provided a great impact, and we appreciate the different voices this group brings to the table. This partnership furthers our commitment to reaching as many in the community as we can and is vital to our mission of bringing art and people together,” Neil added.

“All “Land Acknowledgement Statements” are extremely important for two reasons. The first being that Indigenous People originally inhabited this land and second, that we are still here with the land and our collective voice should be heard,” said Michael Cloud-Butler, Ojibwe American Indian.

To learn more about the land acknowledgment, please visit www.chrysler.org/land

About the Chrysler Museum of Art

The Chrysler Museum of Art is one of America’s most distinguished mid-sized art museums, with a nationally recognized collection of more than 30,000 objects, including one of the great glass collections in America. The core of the Chrysler’s collection comes from Walter P. Chrysler, Jr., an avid art collector who donated thousands of objects from his private collection to the Museum. The Museum has growing collections in many areas and mounts an ambitious schedule of visiting exhibitions and educational programs each season. The Chrysler has also been recognized nationally for its unique commitment to hospitality with its innovative gallery host program.

The Perry Glass Studio is a state-of-the-art facility on the Museum’s campus. The studio offers programming for aspiring and master artists alike in a variety of processes, including glassblowing, fusing, flameworking, coldworking, and neon.

In addition, the Chrysler Museum of Art administers the Moses Myers House, a historic house in downtown Norfolk, as well as the Jean Outland Chrysler Library. For more information on the Chrysler Museum of Art, visit chrysler.org.

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