The Jim Gatchell Museum Native American Collections consist of some 2,600 Archaeological objects and 150 Ethnographic artifacts. Herein, we are using the terms, "Archaeological" and "Ethnographic" in a temporal sense. Archaeological refers to primarily stone artifacts made prior to European influence, pre-1800, in the Northern High Plains region. Ethnographic is used for items made subsequently, post-1800, for which a Tribal origin can usually be assigned. All 2,750 items were acquired as gifts or by loan - the Gatchell Museum does not, in general, "buy" artifacts.

The 2,600 Arch-aeological artifacts consist of 65% Hunting and Fighting items, including arrowheads, lance points, knives, war clubs, tomahawks, etc. The remaining 35% are Household/ Utilitarian objects such as scrapers, fleshers, drills, sharpeners, adz, bows, etc.

The 150 Ethnographic artifacts are derived from the Lakota (35%), Crow (24%), Cheyenne (21%), Cree (7%), Shoshoni (7%), Arapaho (5%), and Kickapoo (1%) tribes. These items represent various categories of material culture: Hunting/Fighting (35% - 53 items), Clothing/Adornment (29% - 43 items) Household/Utilitarian/Toys (21% - 31 items) Smoking (12% - 18 items) and Ceremonial (3% - 5 items).

It is important to note here that there has been a truly unique, long-term relationship of friendship and respect between the Gatchell Museum and the Native Americans of the Powder River region. The Museum's namesake, Jim Gatchell, grew up in the 1880s Dakota Territory with Lakota playmates. As previously noted, he learned their language and culture in the process. As an adult pharmacist in Buffalo (1900-1954), he became a trusted friend and medicine man for the Northern Cheyenne and Crow of the Montana reservations. He spoke on their behalf and wrote articles that presented their viewpoints. He earned the Northern Cheyenne name, "Turpy" which means "He who speaks for them" or "He who speaks in favor of them." It was those Native American friends who gave Gatchell gifts. Those items, in turn, form some of the basis of the Museum's present day Native American collections and were not purchased at auction. The original Jim Gatchell collection comprises 80% of the present-day ethnographic collection and 15% of the archaeological artifacts. That Gatchell Museum-Northern Cheyenne service relationship continues on today. Current Museum staff instruct Tribal members from time to time in the use of modern methods of conservation and preservation on some of their very old, organic material items.