NONAM is one of the few museums in Europe dedicated exclusively to the Indigenous cultures of North America – First Nations, Métis and Inuit in Canada, and Native Americans and Alaska Natives in the USA. The museum promotes understanding of the past, present and future of Indigenous nations, sheds light on cultural diversity and offers exciting insights into different realities of life. It is committed to a polyphonic examination of stereotypical perceptions of Indigenous North America and promotes dialogues and encounters with Indigenous people from different nations and fields of activity.
The NONAM is a cultural institution of the City of Zurich. With attractive exhibitions and offers for school and leisure activities, the museum is committed to a reflective, unprejudiced communication of the cultural diversity of North America and promotes the conscious use of stereotypical images.
Indian Museum of the City of Zurich (1963–2001)
In February 1963, the "Indian Museum of the City of Zurich" opened its doors in the Feld schoolhouse in Zurich Aussersihl. The first curator was Gottfried Hotz, who had assembled the collection over half a century together with his wife Martha. He ran the museum until his death in 1977. The ethnologist Hans Läng, who headed the Schoolhouse Museum from 1977 to 1993, was appointed as his successor. Most notably Läng dealt with the history of Karl Bodmer. With the assumption of leadership by ethnologist and ZHdK lecturer Denise Daenzer in 1993, a reorientation took place. Special exhibitions, cooperation with museums and galleries and cooperation with Indigenous representatives have since shaped the museum's work. In 2000, after 37 years of temporary accommodation, the school's increasing need for space set in motion efforts to find a new location.
North America Native Museum (since 2003)
In February 2003, the North American Native Museum (NONAM) in Zurich's Seefeld celebrated its reopening with more than 2000 visitors and numerous Indigenous guests. The new name signaled the distancing from a problematic Indian concept. Conceptually, he opened the doors to other Indiginous cultures in North America, such as the Inuit, which were integrated into the permanent exhibition with the reopening.
The former temporary classroom is now a museum with international appeal, a comprehensive cultural programme and committed cultural mediation. With an attractive permanent exhibition, the small but high quality Bodmer Gallery and current special exhibitions, NONAM offers a wide range of activities for visitors of all ages.
The museum is mainly financed by the City of Zurich (Department of Schools and Sports) and managed by Heidrun Löb (Chief Curator) and Markus Roost (Head of Exhibition Design and Projects).
A small team of permanent employees with part-time jobs (20–80%) is supported by volunteers and freelancers, without whom the museum would be unthinkable. The same applies to the assignments of community service volunteers, interns and people in deployment programs.
The amerindias association supports events, guided tours, courses and workshops as well as travel and accommodation costs of Indigenous guests that would go beyond the regular budget of the museum.
Membership
Would you like to contribute to promoting knowledge about the Indigenous cultures of North America? As a member of amerindias, you support the work of the museum and its activities, especially the cultural mediation for children and families.
As a thank you, you will be invited to all vernissages, receive an annual ticket for free admission to the exhibitions, discounts for the special events and preferential conditions when shopping in the museum shop. As a patron member, you can enjoy additional offers.
