Exhibition | Native Liberators

Image: Sweatpea Starr

Native American, First Nation, and Métis soldiers and the liberation of the Netherlands, 1944–1945

From May 2, the Freedom Museum will host a new and very special exhibition in honor of 80 years of freedom. The exhibition, entitled "Indigenous Liberators," provides an extensive overview of the history and cultural backgrounds of indigenous soldiers from across North America. What did the decision 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 May 2 through November 30 .

The many Native soldiers who fought in WW2 came from different regions of the United States and Canada. 'Native Liberators' thus encompasses a very diverse collection of different peoples, each with their own culture and customs. The choice 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. In the exhibition "Indigenous Liberators," the stories of these fighters come closer through the use of authentic photographs, objects, interviews and background information.

In honor of this special exhibition, a mini-festival will also be held on May 3. Canadian and US Indigenous Culture will also take place at De Klif theater 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 research team at the Institute for Culture & History. They were in contact with indigenous families, communities, advisors, and cultural centers, Dutch families, research groups from various war cemeteries, and museums in the Netherlands and abroad.

On display at the Freedom Museum from May 2 through November 30, 2025.