Cynthia Chavez Lamar Appointed First Native Woman Director of Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian

On February 14, Cynthia Chavez Lamar will take the helm of the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian, making history as the first Native woman to lead any museum within the Smithsonian's 175-year existence. Since 2020, she has served as the acting associate director for collections and operations at the museum. Of Hopi, Navajo, and Tewa descent, Chavez Lamar is also a member of San Felipe Pueblo in central New Mexico. Her previous roles include associate curator at the museum from 2000 to 2005 and director of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque. In her 2014 role as assistant director of collections, she prioritized enhancing access to collections and fostering ties with Indigenous communities. Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch highlighted her appointment as part of a growing trend of Native American leadership in museums, referencing recent hires like Patricia Marroquin Norby and Danyelle Means. The National Museum of the American Indian has three locations: Washington, DC, New York, and Suitland, Maryland. Chavez Lamar's research focuses on Southwest Native art and collaborative practices with Indigenous groups.