The original article, published on Oct.13, 2022 and titled "This Interactive Map Shows Which Indigenous Lands You Live On," was based on a map created by Native Land. The article encouraged readers to use the map in order to see which Indigenous communities resided in their city, state, or zip code.
A number of readers reached out to the Smithsonian with their concerns about the Native Lands map, specifically about its treatment of Israel. Native Land’s depiction of Israel on its website first drew attention from "Pens From Swords," a pro-Israel WhatsApp activist group. According to Pens From Swords, the group’s members believe Native Lands had "erased Israel" by placing "Palestine" over the outline of the current borders of the Jewish state.
Smithsonian Magazine has retracted an article.
