W Richard West Jr. - Founding Director Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian

Rick is the Founding Director of the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian and Director Emeritus. He is a citizen of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes and a member of the Society of Southern Cheyenne Peace Chiefs, first among equals of the warrior societies among the Cheyenne and central to the governing of the nation on the Council of 44. Where he follows on the paths trod by the great Black Kettle, Dull Knife (aka Morning Star), Lean Bear, Little Wolf and Porcupine, among many others. Richard West was appointed to be the founding director of the National Museum of the American Indian in 1990. He was formally named to the position on May 21, 1990. When President Trump, in March 2025, issued an Executive Order stating that his administration would be conducting a wide-ranging review of the Smithsonian Institution to align its exhibits with the president's cultural directives there was very broad cirticism of this as an effort to hobble the freedom of expression among museums that allowed them to present a truthful account of history. Trump has publicly criticized the museums for focusing too heavily on what he calls "divisive narratives" and "woke" ideology, particularly regarding American history and slavery. Now more than 15 years after his retirement from NMAI and more than a decade at the helm of the Autry Museum, Rick - has earned a national reputation for reinvigorating what it means to bea museum. By building two important museums with a new philosophical approach. His vision brought together the Native American Community and other interests to create a harmonious opportunity to join all voices together in celebration of the living community that is the American Indian Family within the tapestry of the American Family as a whole. Rick joins us in this podcast to add his wise and powerful voice to the debate.