Beyond Tribute is an organization dedicated to developing a documentary on the history of the Tribute to Survival exhibit and ensuring the preservation and continued display of the pieces. Our team is committed to this mission and works tirelessly to bring this important historical narrative to audiences worldwide.​​​​​​​​
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Why is A Tribute to Survival Special?
A Tribute to Survival opened at the Milwaukee Public Museum in the fall of 1993, showcasing a giant turntable with thirty-seven life-sized figures that recreate a contemporary powwow grand entry. The faces of these figures were cast from tribal members, representing the diverse Native community residing in Milwaukee. This groundbreaking exhibition was notable for its collaborative effort between museum staff and tribal members. This relationship started with the intertribal Native community in the Milwaukee area and expanded to include Tribal participation throughout the state. It marks one of the first instances in the country where an exhibit was done both with and about Native people. Involvement from the local American Indian Advisory Council, script advisors, outfit makers, and numerous additional Native voices shaped the exhibition. This collaborative effort ensured that Tribute’s narrative authentically celebrated the history and diversity of Wisconsin's Tribal Nations.
What is happening to Tribute to Survival?
The Milwaukee Public Museum is scheduled to move to a new building in 2027, which will include numerous modern displays on Wisconsin Tribal Nations. However, A Tribute to Survival will no longer be on display. This exhibit still has many stories to tell about treaty rights, resilience, decolonization, indigenization and more. Deanna Porter, Summer Martin, and Stacy Salinas-Dodge Vittal help tell the story of powwow royalty. Efforts are being made to rehome the figures to other museums or cultural centers, with the support and permission of the models for the continuation of cultural use. Lastly, if these options are not available MPM will continue to care for these figures in a state-of-the-art collections space at its new home.
Repurposing the Pieces
Any labels, props, and cases not moving to the new museum may find new homes around the state as well. Tribal artifacts will remain at the museum or will be returned to the tribes.
What is Beyond Tribute?
Beyond Tribute is an organization created to develop a documentary on the history of the Tribute exhibit.
Who are the members of Beyond Tribute? Beyond Tribute includes some of the models for the exhibit, relatives of models, and tribal members that would like to share the story of how this exhibit was made and could continue.
What does Beyond Tribute do?
This group has hosted tables around the state to raise funds to produce a documentary about the making of A Tribute to Surivival. This documentary series will have five or six episodes highlighting how the exhibit was created, updates on the models, and stories about tribal governments, treaties, self-determination, and more. Filming is set to begin November
2024.
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MPM is not directly affiliated with the Beyond Tribute organization, but is supportive of their efforts to continue the story of Tribute to Survival.
