Indigenous Liberators at the Vrijheidsmuseum (Freedom Museum), Groesbeek, the Netherlands, May 2, 2025 to November 30, 2025 for the journal Museum Anthropology.

For the first time I worked on an exhibition review, based on the exhibition Indigenous Liberators. The review analyses this exhibition at the Vrijheidsmuseum in Groesbeek, the Netherlands. The exhibition explores the often neglected role of North American Indigenous soldiers in the liberation of the Netherlands in World War 2. Indigenous Liberators shows how Indigenous participation was motivated by diverse factors, from resisting fascism to asserting cultural identity. Despite facing discrimination in the military, many Indigenous soldiers also experienced a rare sense of equality during the war. Additionally, the exhibition effectively positions the Indigenous contribution within colonial histories and the postwar struggle for recognition. Furthermore, personal stories, artefacts, video interviews, and educational materials at Indigenous Liberators challenge stereotypes and enrich our understanding of Indigenous agency in global history while contributing to public awareness.

For those who have the chance to still go there before November 30: I strongly recommend it.

You can find the full open access review under ‘Publications’ on this website as usual.