Arts & Culture | October 9, 2026 11:00 a.m.

Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day With These 15 Dramatic Images of the Rich, Enduring Traditions of Native Americans

These photographs from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest showcase Native Americans taking part in their respective tribal customs

OPENER - A member of the Muscogee Creek Nation pauses at the edge of the dance circle in traditional regalia at an event in Nashville.

A member of the Muscogee Creek Nation pauses at the edge of the dance circle in traditional regalia at an event in Nashville. Micah Barkley, Tennessee, 2024

Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day With These 15 Dramatic Images of the Rich, Enduring Traditions of Native Americans

These photographs from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest showcase Native Americans taking part in their respective tribal customs

Photographs selected by Jeff Campagna

Text by Tracy Scott Forson

October 9, 2026 11:00 a.m.

Since long before the United States was formed, the continent has been the home of Native American people, including the Lakota, Navajo, Sioux, Cherokee, Apache, Dakota and others. The names of those tribes still designate our waterways (the Potomac River, Lake Erie), national parks (Shenandoah and Denali) and even some states (Michigan and Ohio). Native American communities have, of course, contributed more than geographical names and remain a vital part of the fabric of American life. About 7.4 million self-identified Native Americans live in the United States today, and many continue the rich and meaningful traditions of their heritage.

2 - DelShay Henio leads her horse across the arid land of her family's ranch on the Navajo Nation in northern New Mexico. — DelShay Henio leads her horse across the arid land of her family's ranch on the Navajo Nation in northern New Mexico. Christopher Carpenter, New Mexico, 2024

3 sculpture — A young girl approaches Dignity: Of Earth and Sky, a 50-foot tall, stainless steel sculpture near Chamberlain, South Dakota. It honors the strength, pride and perseverance of the Lakota and Dakota people. Helen McLain, South Dakota, 2020

4 - Powwow participants stand and sing the national anthem before the start of an event in San Diego. — Powwow participants stand and sing the national anthem before the start of an event in San Diego. Kevin Shi, California, 2018

5 - Antoninette, of the Coeur d’Alene and Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) peoples, stands for a portrait. — Antoninette, of the Coeur d’Alene and Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) peoples, stands for a portrait. Tara Kerzhner, Idaho, 2021

6 - At an Apache sunrise ceremony in San Carlos, Arizona, a girl’s passage to womanhood is marked. On this day, the people of her tribe say a blessing over her and sprinkle her with pollen. — At an Apache sunrise ceremony in San Carlos, Arizona, a girl’s passage to womanhood is marked. On this day, the people of her tribe say a blessing over her and sprinkle her with pollen. Rebecca Hobert, Arizona, 2015

7 - In some Native American cultures, large feathers are sacred and believed to carry prayers to the heavens. — In some Native American cultures, large feathers are sacred and believed to carry prayers to the heavens. Kevin Shi, California, 2018

8 - This Navajo shima, or godmother, was chosen from the community in Gallup, New Mexico, to guide a young woman through her kinaalda, or maturation ceremony. — This Navajo shima, or godmother, was chosen from the community in Gallup, New Mexico, to guide a young woman through her kinaalda, or maturation ceremony. Christopher Carpenter, New Mexico, 2025

9 - Two young girls sit along the edge of a dance floor watching the ceremonial procession that marks the beginning of a powwow in Albuquerque. — Two young girls sit along the edge of a dance floor watching the ceremonial procession that marks the beginning of a powwow in Albuquerque. Christopher Carpenter, New Mexico, 2024

10 - A woman attends an event in New York City to bring awareness to unsolved cases of missing Native American women. — A woman attends an event in New York City to bring awareness to unsolved cases of missing Native American women. Karineh Gurjian, New York, 2022

11 - Benjamin West is an enrolled member of the Otoe Missouria Tribe of Oklahoma; he is also Southern Cheyenne and Muscogee Creek. He has become a leading member in his tribal communities and is a photographer focusing on the evolution of his tribal relig — Benjamin West is an enrolled member of the Otoe Missouria Tribe of Oklahoma; he is also Southern Cheyenne and Muscogee Creek. He has become a leading member in his tribal communities and is a photographer focusing on the evolution of his tribal religions. Benjamin West, Florida, 2022

12 - Bart Stevens, a Northern Traditional Powwow dancer, prepares his regalia in a locker room before the annual University of Utah Powwow in Salt Lake City. — Bart Stevens, a Northern Traditional Powwow dancer, prepares his regalia in a locker room before the annual University of Utah Powwow in Salt Lake City. Christopher Carpenter, Utah, 2024

13 - A man rides a bull at the Oglala Lakota Nation Fair and Rodeo, a cultural and sporting event held annually in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. — A man rides a bull at the Oglala Lakota Nation Fair and Rodeo, a cultural and sporting event held annually in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Jeremiah Murphy, South Dakota, 2024

14 - Apache Crown Dancers bless a young woman during her coming-of-age ceremony while friends and family gather in support. — Apache Crown Dancers bless a young woman during her coming-of-age ceremony while friends and family gather in support. Michael Benanav, New Mexico, 2023

15 - Clouds obscure the sun, creating a silhouette of Native American Jonas Rydell. — Clouds obscure the sun, creating a silhouette of Native American Jonas Rydell. Paul Andes, Montana, 2021

Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day With These 15 Dramatic Images of the Rich, Enduring Traditions of Native Americans

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