In preserving Nevada state history, it’s essential that all groups are represented. Today, we are joined by Lynette Sawyer, cultural collector and founder of the Hispanic Museum of Nevada, an institution committed to driving awareness of diverse Hispanic cultures to foster greater intercultural understanding. In our conversation, we hear from Lynette about her upbringing in New York and how her parents exposed her to many cultural opportunities, including the myriad of museums along the Museum Mile. She shares the humble beginnings of the Hispanic Museum of Nevada, starting with a simple cabinet that she had fixed and how it’s grown and evolved over the years across various locations and partnerships. We discuss the museum’s impact on the community through its diverse range of programs and items and how it has helped raise awareness of different Latino cultures and indigenous languages. Lynette also shares some of the key challenges the museum has faced, like fundraising and navigating different cultural infrastructures, before reflecting on the current state of the museum and what to expect from its future. To hear all about the Hispanic Museum of Nevada and its unique cultural journey, tune in for this inspiring conversation with Lynette Sawyer!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Lynette’s upbringing in Manhattan, New York, and her early exposure to cultural opportunities.
• Moving to Nevada and how Lynette began and grew the Hispanic Museum of Nevada.
• Details of her first fundraiser, involving local casinos and cultural performances.
• An overview of the various locations of the Hispanic Museum of Nevada.
• The museum’s expansion and the involvement of different cultural groups and artists.
• Artifacts exhibited at the museum and the community’s support through donated items.
• The museum’s impact on the community, including programs for different age groups.
• Raising awareness of diverse Latino cultures and indigenous languages.
• Recognition Lynette received from organizations, including the Latin Chamber of Commerce.
• Challenges of managing the museum, such as raising funds.
• The museum's current status and revival plans via the city’s community plan.
• Lynette’s reflections on what she learned through her work with the museum.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Lynnette Sawyer
Hispanic Museum of Nevada
‘Six questions for Lynnette Sawyer’
Claytee White
Su Kim Chung

Erica Vital-Lazare

Women of Diversity Productions Inc.

Nevada Humanities
The National Endowment for the Humanities

Caesars Entertainment

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How do we pay honor to our histories and build alongside them instead of paving over them? This episode is an in-depth conversation with the inimitable Director of Oral History at UNLV, Claytee D. White. Join us as she shares her early experiences of connecting with the Black community through oral history before entering into a career in this field. We discuss the migration to Las Vegas, addressing misconceptions about its demographics, and touch on what it means to find commonalities across communities. Acknowledging the abundance of stories from migrants and immigrants, we discuss the importance of preserving them, and Claytee shares some of the methods she uses to do so. Next, Claytee uncovers the story of Mary Nettles’, a Black female property owner who helped to start the NAACP in 1928. Listening in, you’ll also get a preview of the areas of interest that Claytee will focus on in her upcoming book. Thanks for listening!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Welcoming historian, author, and oral history expert Claytee D. White.
• The story of her first experiences with oral history and the Black community.
• Discovering unwritten histories to continue their legacy.
• Clarifying the misconstrued notion that the migration to Las Vegas was limited to a single people group.
• Finding the commonalities between the journey of different people groups.
• The abundance of stories showing that the United States was built on immigrant and migrant labor.
• Modern stories of migration motivated by climate change.
• Claytee’s vision for the future of the East, West,’ and North communities of Las Vegas.
• Her work in digitizing history and archiving information.
• The opportunities that the city has afforded Claytee and the amazing connections she has made because of them.
• How Claytee is using history to enforce the 100 Plan Idea that emerged from the community.
• The story of Legacy Park, which pays homage to those who helped to build the community since 1870.
• Mary Nettles; a property owner whose story has been preserved through oral history.
• A sneak preview into the content of her upcoming book.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Erica Vital-Lazare Researcher Profile
Erica Vital-Lazare on Literary Hub
Claytee D. White Researcher Profile
UNLV
Oral History Research Center
News from Special Collections & Archives
Women of Diversity Productions Inc.

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What does it take to preserve a vital yet painful chapter of history? In this episode, Claytee White and scholar Su Kim Chung interview Sherry Rupert, former Indian Affairs Director for Nevada and Executive Director of the Nevada Indian Commission. Sherry, now CEO of the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA), shares her remarkable journey as the driving force behind the restoration of the Stewart Indian School in Carson City, a site that once sought to erase Indigenous identities but now stands as a beacon of remembrance and education. From gathering alumni stories to creating innovative walking tours, Sherry recounts how she transformed the school into a vibrant cultural center that honors the resilience of Native peoples. She also discusses the challenges of funding, gaining community support, and sharing difficult histories authentically. Beyond her work at Stewart, Sherry reflects on her mission to amplify Indigenous voices through cultural tourism on a national scale. Discover how this important work connects past and present, and learn how you can engage with these stories. Tune in to hear Sherry’s inspiring perspective on preserving history to foster understanding and change.

Key Points From This Episode:

• An overview of Sherry Rupert’s career with Nevada’s state government.
• How she led the restoration of the historic Stewart Indian School in Nevada.
• Her partnership with Nevada state governors, including Brian Sandoval.
• Some background on Sherry, her early life, education, and her family.
• The inspiration behind her work for the Stewart Indian School.
• Unpacking the painful history of the school as a tool for assimilation.
• The walking tour featuring alumni stories that earned Sherry a Tourism Excellence Award.
• Ways to conduct research at the Stewart Indian School Cultural Center & Museum.
• Details of the archives, exhibits, and Native art curated by Indigenous artists at the center.
• Key preservation challenges, like securing funding and addressing painful historical truths.
• How they preserved and honored the full stories behind the school and its alumni.
• Reflections on the importance of sharing the stories of Indigenous peoples.
• How visitors can explore the school’s rich history through exhibits, tours, and workshops.
• Sherry’s current work serving as CEO of AIANTA, advocating for Indigenous cultural tourism.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Sherry L Rupert
AIANTA Team
NativeAmerica.travel
Stewart Indian School Cultural Center & Museum
Claytee D. White
Su Kim Chung

Women of Diversity Productions Inc.

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