Historically, museums across the U.S. have taken a detached, scholarly, and archaic view of Native Americans. But over the past decade especially, there’s been a push by Native advocates and their supporters to “decolonize” -- or alternately, “Indigenize” – these institutions, including here in Oregon.

EUGENE, Ore. -- Spring break offers community members and families an opportunity to check out local museums, and five of Eugene’s most popular museums are offering free or discounted admission to families in need.

Scientific evidence is starting to pile up: humans came to North America far earlier than we initially thought. For a long time the earliest arrival date was about 13,500 years ago. Now researchers at the University of Oregon have dated human objects to more than 18,000 years ago.

The exhibit highlights innovations associated with the history of many different Tribal groups to portray the rich diversity of Native peoples living here in Oregon. It is traveling to rural libraries throughout the state of Oregon as part of the Museum of Natural and Cultural History’s bilingual Museum Adventures program.

On the Channel Islands, archaeologists draw lessons in sustainability from historic Chumash fishing practices.

The Museums for All access program is expanding in Eugene. Participating arts and cultural sites offer discounted or free entry to individuals and families with an Oregon Trail card.

Ancient hunters used a rock-shelter in the Oregon desert to butcher camels, bison, mountain sheep, and horses during the Ice Age.

Featuring 13 high-quality images of the outskirts of the Milky Way galaxy, the exhibit showcases images taken by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s James Webb Space Telescope. "This is truly just like Hubble (telescope) 25 years ago," said UO professor of astronomy Scott Fisher, who curated the exhibit. "We are at the beginning of a brand new kind of era of astronomy."

Historically, museums across the U.S. have taken a detached, scholarly, and archaic view of Native Americans. But over the past decade especially, there’s been a push by Native advocates and their supporters to “decolonize” – or alternately, “Indigenize” – these institutions, including in Oregon.

On Thursday, April 4, the University of Oregon’s Museum of Natural and Cultural History Education Manager Mia Jackson unpacked the Native Innovation Museum Adventures traveling exhibit at its first stop in Grand Ronde.