The National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) exhibition <i>Listening to Our Ancestors: The Art of Native Life Along the North Pacific Coast</i> (February 1, 2006 to January 2, 2007) featured 11 First Nations and Native American cultures. For each culture, Indigenous community curators selected NMAI collection items to illustrate their culture’s vitality. This panel discusses the item selected by Barb Cranmer (‘Namgis First Nation, community curator of Kwakwaka’wakw, Alert Bay, BC) — a Hamsaml mask to describe the Hamat'sa ceremonies. Attributed to Mungo Martin, the mask was in disrepair and culturally would never have been shown in such condition. Cranmer’s request for its renewal was discussed with NMAI curators, conservators, and the Kwakwaka’wakw. The renewal was undertaken collaboratively by ‘Namgis/Mamlilikala artist Kevin Cranmer and the NMAI conservation staff. In the following discussion, community curator Barb Cranmer, artist Kevin Cranmer, and various NMAI exhibition and conservation staff members all offer their perspectives and present different aspects of this collaboration. The process validates the empowerment of cultural owners of collections and shows how museums can benefit from community involvement.