The Denver Museum of Nature and Science in Colorado, US, is to close a gallery dedicated to Indigenous people and culture, which it says perpetuates racist stereotypes.

The North American Indian Culture Hall is to close in the summer as it “perpetuates harmful stereotypes and centres white, dominant culture.” The decision to close the exhibit, which was first installed in 1978, was taken in partnership with the Denver American Indian Commission.

“The museum is committed to healing harm and repairing relationships. As part of that process, museum staff and Indigenous community partners are working to respectfully close this hall and to reimagine exhibition, curation, collecting, programming and conservation practices with respect to Indigenous cultural histories, heritage and belongings,” the museum said in a statement.

This summer, the Museum will close the North American Indian Cultures Hall. We’re committed to re-examining our practices for exhibiting, curating, collecting, programming and conserving in a manner that respects the Indigenous cultural histories, heritage and belongings. #NAIC pic.twitter.com/IxNPIrnNMJ

— Denver Museum (@DenverMuseumNS) May 18, 2023