The Missoula Art Museum (MAM) in Missoula, Montana, presented the exhibition 'Q̓ʷeyq̓ʷay ‘Buffalo’ is Our Good Medicine,' which explores the cultural significance of buffalo to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. The show features ledger art on paper and hide, sculpture, and multimedia works, including four pieces by Aspen Decker that depict Salish women and buffalo. Decker, a Salish language educator and enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, created works such as 'Wild Rose Bush' (2026), 'Buffalo Jump/ Place Where the Meat Crashes/falls off Something' (2026), 'Sign for Buffalo' (2026), and 'Buffalo Song' (2026), each accompanied by explanatory text from MAM that highlights women's roles in buffalo hunting, seasonal movement, communication, and ceremonial practices.
This exhibition matters because it centers Indigenous perspectives and cultural knowledge, using contemporary ledger art to connect past and present while preserving and transmitting traditions. By focusing on the roles of Salish women in buffalo-related practices—from hunting to ceremony—the show challenges historical narratives and underscores the ongoing relevance of tribal heritage. The inclusion of detailed curatorial explanations and the artist's background as a language educator reinforces the exhibition's educational mission, making it a significant contribution to both Native American art and broader cultural understanding.