Native American Ethnography
Ethnography at the New York State Museum is focused on the documentation and analysis of human culture, specifically Native American culture, and explores how Native peoples lived in the past and continue to build and preserve their culture in the present.

Dr. Gwendolyn Saul
Curator of Ethnography gwendolyn.saul@nysed.gov
I am an ethnographer and cultural anthropologist interested in creative and innovative ways to implement critical Indigenous theory into museum spaces and practices.
News Articles
New Acquisition: Double Weave Basket by Artist Carrie Hill (Kanien’keha:ka, Akwesasne)
Published November 20, 2024 | Ethnography
Clan Mothers, Spinners, Attorneys and Stateswomen: Mohican Women in New Stockbridge - online talk on February 10, 2021
Published January 26, 2021 | Ethnography
Please join the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican Nation for a Facebook Live 1-hour presentation entitled, “Clan Mothers, Spinners, Attorneys and Stateswomen: Mohican Women in New Stockbridge,” on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 3 pm Eastern Standard Tim...
New Acquisition: Silk Beaded Bag by Kenneth Williams Jr. (Cattaraugus Seneca and Arapaho)
Published November 4, 2020 | Ethnography
Inspired by the path-breaking beadwork artistry of Gahano (Caroline Parker Mt. Pleasant, Tonawanda Seneca), Ken Williams Jr.’s hand stitched silk and beaded bag pays tribute to the artistry of Seneca and Haudenosaunee beadwork in every detail. Fro...
Karen Ann Hoffman, NYSM Ethnology Collections featured artist, receives 2020 National Heritage Fellowship!
Published June 24, 2020 | Ethnography
NYSM Ethnology Collections featured artist, Karen Ann Hoffman, is a recipient of a 2020 NEA National Heritage Fellowship! (National Endowment for the Arts press release) Karen Ann Hoffman, enrolled member of the Oneida Nation (Wisconsin) is an ...
Today's artwork from NYSM Ethnology collections recognizes Indigenous medicinal knowledge
Published May 13, 2020 | Ethnography
One sub-discipline within cultural anthropology is the medical anthropology, or the focus on how humans think of medicine, illness and practice health and well-being. Today's artwork from NYSM Ethnology collections recognizes Indigenous medicinal ...
Collaborative exhibit, “Community and Continuity: Native American Art of New York,” receives critical recognition
Published November 9, 2018 | Ethnography
“Community and Continuity: Native American Art of New York,” an exhibition at The Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art at SUNY New Paltz, featuring selections from the New York State Museum’s collections of contemporary Native American Art and archeo...
Innovative new works added to the Contemporary Native American Art Collection
Published April 6, 2017 | Ethnography
In FY 2016-2017, NYSM acquired eight stunning new artworks by artists previously not represented in the Contemporary Native American Art Collection (part of the Ethnology Collections). The selections, from artists with nascent and well-established...
Bold changes in Contemporary Native American Art collections mark International Women's Day 2017
Published March 8, 2017 | Ethnography
“Ageswe’gaiyo” (oil on panel), one of the 2016 purchases for the NYSM Contemporary Native American Art Collection arrived today at the museum, which is also International Women's Day 2017 (March 8). This exquisite painting features the artist, Lua...
New Acquisition: Mahican and Mohawk Baskets
Published September 14, 2016 | Ethnography
The Museum recently acquired a collection of 19th and 20th century Mahican and Mohawk baskets. The baskets range in size and decoration, from miniature baskets to large gathering baskets, fancy baskets with curlicues, and baskets with stamped and ...
State Museum Acquires Unique Collection of Abenaki Native American Materials
Published June 26, 2015 | Ethnography
The Museum recently acquired a unique collection of 20th century Abenaki Native American materials. The collection was donated by Rodney Johnson of Rochester, NY. Rodney wanted to find a permanent home for the collection that had been handed down ...
Collections

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