Smithsonian Voices

From the Smithsonian Museums

Nathan Sowry

Nathan Sowry is the Reference Archivist for the Archives Center at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian. He works primarily with Native and non-Native researchers, scholars, and community groups interested in utilizing the NMAI’s archival collections. Nathan received his BA in Anthropology and Religious Studies from the University of Pittsburgh; MA in History from Washington State University; MLIS in Archives and Records Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison; and PhD in History from American University.

Tichkematse, a Great Favorite at the Smithsonian

A forerunner of today’s efforts to decolonize and Indigenize American museums, Tichkematse was one of the first Native American employees at the Smithsonian Institution. His work with natural history and anthropological collections continues to inspire Native and non-Native museum professionals nearly 150 years later.