My first time ... at the North America Native Museum

The North America Native Museum, or NONAM for short, is somewhat hidden in the outermost corner of Seefeld. If you come by public transport, you have to walk the last part of the way. However, it is worth the effort, especially for families with children.

The former "Indian Museum" began with a private collection acquired by the city and displayed in a Zurich school building in 1963. Over the years, the collection was expanded and thematic temporary exhibitions have been held since 1993. in 2003, the museum was renamed the North American Native Museum NONAM and moved into the Seefeld premises. The collection was substantially expanded on the occasion of the 50th anniversary with more than 50 works of contemporary indigenous art. Today, NONAM is one of the few museums in Europe devoted exclusively to the indigenous cultures of North America. The museum aims not only to promote understanding of the past, present and future of indigenous nations, but also to draw attention to their cultural diversity. The permanent exhibition, which will be completely overhauled in 2021, features more than 700 objects from six regions and cultures of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit in Canada and Native Americans and Alaska Natives in the USA.

So much for the history of NONAM. I was at the museum on a Thursday afternoon and had plenty of time to take a good look at everything. And it is worth it. The variety and beauty of the objects is simply overwhelming - in a positive sense. The current temporary exhibition is dedicated to Sedna, the goddess of the sea and mother of sea creatures. In a circle of seven themes, the life, myths and changes of the circumpolar world are illuminated. Sequences from the life of the Inuit are presented by means of sculptures, prints, drawings and films. The whole exhibition is designed like an icescape, projected northern lights enhance the impression of the Arctic. The art objects are breathtakingly beautiful and artistically carved. The artistic expression has something childlike, comic-like and will certainly fascinate a younger audience.

The permanent exhibition on the second floor impresses above all with artefacts of Native American life. Beaded garments, shoes and amulets, child carriers, toys and feather jewellery. But also elaborately carved and decorated totems, masks and cult objects. An incredibly colourful and rich culture that is hard to get enough of. I briefly attended a family guided tour, which provided a lot of interesting information about the exhibits, which you can also call up on your mobile phone using a QR code. However, it is more fun to hear the stories and the interested questions of the children live.

Total: Definitely go to NONAM, see everything, be amazed! And if it's a family outing: the family tour is worth it!