Case Study: Sustainable Exhibition
Harmony through Tradition:
Exploring Native American Practices for a Sustainable Future
Problem:
How can we adopt a new approach to living that prioritizes sustainability for present and future well-being?
What tested examples can provide guidance in addressing these critical issues?
This problem is important because we can learn about past sustainable practices and principles, read about how they succeeded in the past, and use them in the present and future.
Roles:
I was on a team of four people total. My role in this project was to create the digital catalog, design two panels on Stewardship and Fair Distribution, and create the branding. I also created my own script for the final presentation.
My team members were Shane Fitzgerald, Gavin Fortenberry, and Maya Ellis.
Solution:
In our exhibit we will showcase six key values of Native American traditional wisdom, a tactile display engaging visitors and teaching them about local native plants, highlight how Chico State employs sustainable practices, and aim to inspire visitors to adopt similar principles.
Six value panels:
Stewardship Panel: The photo shown for this panel expresses the Indigenous People as one with nature. When a member dies, they lay the body in the ground to rest and perform rituals to assist the body into the afterlife.
Fair Distribution Panel: Fair Distribution Panel: The photos shown for this panel express the use of sharing tools among the tribe whether it was jugs for carrying water or the sharing of resources for food. In exchange, tribes would share wisdom and knowledge through storytelling, ceremonies, and apprenticeships.
Tactile Display:
Promotional Materials:
Exhibit Display:
Digital Catalog:
The catalog contains six common themes that represent key values in which indigenous people model on how to live more sustainably. The exhibit's sustainability plan, tactile display, promotional items, and panels highlight the historical importance of sustainable practices and maintaining the lifecycle of our environment and wildlife.
“There is hope that together, we can enhance values about the importance of nature and do a better job of taking care of our natural places and each other.”
Challenges:
A challenge I faced was designing the panels. I didn’t know how I wanted to layout everything and have it correspond with every else’s designs. Another challenge I faced was choosing which of Edward Curtis’ pictures I wanted to include. Each photo was carefully chosen to match the title and text of each display.
A challenge my team faced was finishing the final project in the short amount of time we had left. Since the majority of our team was focused on finishing Senior Project, we ended up doing everything two weeks before the project was due.
Learnings:
One thing I learned was how many sustainable practices and principles the Native Americans used. They would share tools and food in exchange for knowledge and everything they gained came solely from the earth.
One thing I would have done differently was start on the project sooner. At first, I thought we had to come up with our own text for the panels, but I later discovered that the text was provided by the professor.