Native New York takes visitors on a journey across the city and state, exploring the question: "What makes New York a Native place?" Through 12 key locations, the exhibition introduces the Native nations that have long called this region home. By sharing the stories of Native New Yorkers, the experience expands historical understanding and underscores that New York is—and always has been—a Native place.
The Native New York identity draws inspiration from the exhibit’s artifacts—from wampum currency and tribal seals to the colors and patterns of ceremonial belts. At its core, the identity is built on parallel lines, symbolizing the interwoven histories of Native Americans and Europeans—two cultures that have coexisted for centuries. This design pays homage to treaty belts, historically used for storytelling, ceremonial gifts, and recording significant agreements. Just as these belts preserved history, the exhibit’s identity serves to honor and celebrate the Native peoples of this land—the original New Yorkers.
Exhibition Design and Experience
The exhibition is designed as a journey through Native places in New York, guiding visitors through the region’s history and living cultures. Framing the visitor as a traveler, the experience offers both a historical and social lens, deepening the understanding of Native New York—past and present.
As visitors journey through the exhibition, tracing a path from Long Island to New York City and onward to Niagara Falls, they encounter a narrative that spans pre-Revolutionary War exchanges to contemporary events. Along the way, they meet Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) ironworkers, who helped shape Manhattan’s skyline, and Lenape (Delaware) teens, reconnecting with their ancestral homeland. These stories of Native New Yorkers—past and present—offer a deeper understanding of the region’s history, reaffirming that New York is, and always has been, a Native place.
We proposed a graphic novel-style storytelling approach for several reasons: abstracting the imagery of Native people helped avoid the question of singular representation, while also making complex concepts more accessible and engaging. Most importantly, this format presents historical narratives in a way that is both immersive and familiar to the exhibition’s primary audience—middle school visitors—creating a holistic and approachable learning experience.
Reflections from Onondaga Lake is an interactive experience that delves into the story of the Peacemaker, the sacred significance of Onondaga Lake to the Haudenosaunee, and the ongoing efforts to restore and protect the lake for future generations. Designed for visitors of all ages, the experience empowers participants to actively engage with the narrative, encouraging them to work collectively to explore its central themes: Empathy, Accountability, and Forgiveness. By taking part in the storytelling process, visitors gain a deeper understanding of the lake’s cultural and environmental importance.
Designed at C&G Partners
