Indigenous Liberators

From 2 May, a new, very special exhibition in honour of 80 years of Freedom will be on display at the Freedom Museum.       

The “Indigenous Liberators” exhibition comprehensively portrays the history and cultural backgrounds of indigenous WW2 soldiers, from across North America. What did choosing to fight in the war mean to them? The exhibition was created in collaboration with Dr Mathilde Roza of Radboud University and will be on display at the Freedom Museum from 2 May to 30 November.   

The many indigenous soldiers who fought in WW2 came from different regions of the United States and Canada. 'Indigenous Liberators' thus encompasses a very diverse collection of different peoples, each with their own culture and customs. Choosing to risk their lives fighting for freedom and democracy on the other side of the ocean is extra special because they were often denied these values in their own homelands. They were forced to live in reservations, their cultures were suppressed and they faced a strong, negative stereotype. Some indigenous soldiers lost their lives for our freedom, others returned to their homeland and continued to fight there, this time for their own freedom. A struggle that continues to this day. The “Indigenous Liberators” exhibition brings the stories of these fighters closer through the use of authentic photographs, objects, interviews and background information.   

In honour of this special exhibition, a mini-festival Canadian and US Indigenous Culture will also take place on 3 May at Theater De Klif in Nijmegen-Noord. Renowned powwow dancer Adam Tsosie Nordwall will perform, the European premiere of the “Storypole” documentary about the tallest totem pole will be shown and descendants of indigenous liberators will engage in conversation with the audience.   

The exhibition was created in collaboration with Dr Mathilde Roza of Radboud University, Associate Professor of North American Literature and North American Studies, supported by her researchteam within the Institute for Culture & History. Their contacts included indigenous families, communities, counsellors and cultural centres, Dutch families, research groups from various war cemeteries and museums in the Netherlands and abroad.   

To be visited at the Freedom Museum from 2 May until 30 November 2025.