Metropolitan Museum's First Native American Art Curator Departs Amid Heritage Controversy

Patricia Marroquin Norby, who served as the Metropolitan Museum of Art's inaugural curator of Native American art, left her position in December 2025. The museum recently advertised for her replacement. Norby was originally hired in 2020 amid significant attention as the institution's first Indigenous curator, a move seen as addressing criticism regarding its handling of Native artworks. Her departure was attributed to health reasons by both Norby and museum representatives. However, her claims of Indigenous ancestry have been disputed. Over her tenure, she identified as Purépecha, though she previously referenced connections to Nde, Apache, Eastern Apache, and Purépecha communities. A 2024 report by the Tribal Alliance Against Frauds concluded she lacks verifiable Native American lineage, based on genealogical research. Following the job posting, Norby published an opinion piece defending identity as a personal matter, arguing against public scrutiny. Indigenous scholars like Joseph Pierce emphasize that tribal belonging typically requires community kinship rather than self-identification. The Met has not clarified its vetting process for Norby's heritage claims, stating it follows standard hiring practices that consider expertise and collaboration. During her five years, Norby contributed to exhibitions, NAGPRA protocols, and the Native American Arts Initiative. The situation raises questions about institutional validation of Indigenous identity, especially for roles where such background is highlighted. Similar issues have emerged in academia, with universities investigating false heritage claims. Few Native curators hold prominent positions, making this appointment and its aftermath particularly notable.