Artspace stands in solidarity with the Indigenous community and Dakota community regarding the Dakota 38 exhibit at Northrup King Building (NKB) in Minneapolis. We strongly condemn the exploitation of Native trauma and reaffirm our commitment to supporting Native artists while promoting cultural respect.
Native trauma should never be commodified and exploited. We acknowledge the historical injustices faced by Native communities and respect their right to self-representation and cultural ownership. The stories and narratives of the Dakota 38, and the genocide of the Dakota people hold deep pain, and it is crucial to honor their voices and perspectives in sharing these stories and their significance.
The incidents during discussions about the exhibit at Studio Pintura deeply trouble us. We denounce any acts of disrespect, exploitation, or mockery towards Native artists, and we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and safe environment for all artists at NKB.
Artspace supports the affected Native artists and requests public apologies from those involved, including artist Keith Dixon and Studio Pintura for their role in perpetuating this harm. We also urge Keith Dixon to cease further public exhibition of his work related to the Dakota 38.
We remain committed to collaborating with the Indigenous community and the broader BIPOC community to foster an inclusive and respectful artistic community that celebrates the contributions of all artists. We commit to opening a dialog to better understand concerns and identify meaningful solutions.