Indigenous Museum Temporarily Shut Down Following Alteration of Pro-Palestine Mural

The Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum in Evanston, Illinois, recently faced controversy that led to a temporary closure. The museum had commissioned Anishinaabe and Korean-American artist Jamie John for a mural celebrating Anishinaabe culture. His design was approved in July, depicting legends like Sky Woman and Thunderbird. During installation, John incorporated pro-Palestine imagery and phrases into a “doodle grid” for scaling, typically overpainted in the final layer. This included messages like “Free the Land” and “Protect Immigrants.”

Midway through covering this underpainting, the museum terminated John’s contract, citing unauthorized content. Museum director Kim Vigue said the doodle grid breached their agreement. Consequently, the mural was painted over, and plans for a new artist are underway.

John expressed disappointment at the museum’s actions, viewing them as a disregard for Indigenous solidarity with Palestinians. Although contracted at $24 per hour, John claims he was terminated without pay or a chance to explain.

The museum closed on August 11, set to reopen after August 16, with suggestions that closure relates to John’s online post urging visitor inquiries about the contract. Hyperallergic has requested further comments from the museum.