Kathryn Harrison named to American Museum of Natural History's Board of Trustees

NEW YORK CITY -- Tribal Elder Kathryn Harrison, 94, was appointed to the American Museum of Natural History’s Board of Trustees on June 13 and joins the likes of news anchor Tom Brokaw, actress Tina Fey and “Saturday Night Live” producer Lorne Michaels on the board.

 “We are honored to welcome Kathryn Harrison to the museum’s Board of Trustees,” said museum President Ellen Futter. “Kathryn has been a friend and colleague of the museum for many years, beginning with her pivotal leadership role when the museum and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde forged a historic agreement in 2000. That partnership continues strongly to this day, and we are especially thrilled now to have Kathryn involved in a more formal way with the museum.”

Harrison was the chairwoman of the Grand Ronde Tribe in June 2000 when an agreement between the Tribe and museum ensured Tribal religious access to Tomanowos, also known as the Willamette Meteorite. The agreement settled a claim to Tomanowos filed by the Tribe under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.

The meteorite was venerated by Oregon Tribes that were eventually relocated to the Grand Ronde Reservation in the 1850s. Tomanowos was purchased by a wealthy philanthropist in the early 20^th century and sent back to New York City to go on display at the museum.

Under the agreement, the Grand Ronde Tribe has annual access to conduct religious ceremonies with Tomanowos, and the museum hosts a summer internship program for Tribal youth.

Harrison’s first board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 3. She said she was told that she is the first Native American to be appointed to the Board of Trustees.