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National Museum of the American Indian

Thanksgiving from an Indigenous Perspective

How do Native Americans make peace with a national holiday that romanticizes the 1621 encounter between their ancestors and English settlers, and erases the deadly conflicts that followed?

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Five Ideas for Celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2022

From reading Indigenous authors to exploring Native plants, these activities suit everyone in the family

Bison on the Fort Belknap Reservation in Montana

The Return of a National Icon

Bison, commonly referred to by Native people as “buffalo,” were once on the brink of extinction. Discover how the revival of the bison became one of the United States' great conservation success stories.

Join Us to Honor the Exceptional Military Service of Native Americans

Native American Veterans Procession and Dedication Ceremony for National Native American Veterans Memorial Scheduled for November 11, 2022

Max Yamane Powwow Head Male Dancer

Max Hiroshi Yamane: Initiating Relationships with Native People

Learn how one Asian American has made extended family relationships and respectfully participates in contemporary Native culture.

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With Color and Pageantry, Denver March Powwow Signals the Season's Opening

After two years of cancellations, Native powwows across Indian Country make a thriving and significant comeback

Cynthia and her husband Walter

Museum's New Director Dr. Cynthia Chavez Lamar Says Her Goal Is 'Listening, Being Respectful and Asking for Help'

Chavez emphasizes how she plans to maintain her cultural and communal ties while working in Washington D.C.

Taffy Abel

A Forgotten Olympic First

Taffy Abel, U.S. hockey's initial American Indian player, won a silver medal at the inaugural Winter Games almost a century ago

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A Retro Look in the Archives Reveals Past Views on Language Derogatory to Native Americans

Although current views may point to “political correctness” for changes in language and terminology, by looking back through historical documents, it’s quite clear that this is not something new.

The Christmas Season in Indian Country

Celebrations, memorials, and gatherings during the winter holiday season

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Native Rights Are Human Rights

Remembering the humanity of Indigenous peoples on International Human Rights Day

'If You Lived During the Plimoth Thanksgiving' by Chris Newell Exposes New Truths About a Major American Holiday

Just in time for Thanksgiving, this newly released book explains the events surrounding the original feast at Plimoth – from a Native perspective.

Theresa Secord (Penobscot, b. 1958). Ear of corn basket, 2003. Maine. 26/1694. By looking at Thanksgiving in the context of living cultures, we can make the holiday a more meaningful part of teaching and learning, in school and at home.

Five Ideas to Change Teaching About Thanksgiving, in Classrooms and at Home

Between Thanksgiving and Native American Heritage and Month, November is go-time for teaching and learning about Native America. Here, parent and museum educator Renée Gokey shares simple ways to make the responsibility less daunting. In addition to briefly describing strategies for learners K–12, Renée links to teaching resources from the museum and other organizations. And she notes that students can use Thanksgiving and their new tools for thinking about culture to learn and share more about their own family’s history and traditions.

Educator’s Blog: Land Acknowledgments as a Tool Towards Social Justice in Your Classroom

Teaching about Land Acknowledgments in Your Classroom or Community

Coyote and Turkeys Illustration

Native Ghosts and the Supernatural

In the new book, "Living Ghosts and Mysterious Monsters," a Native storyteller shares ancient and contemporary scary stories

The National Native American Veterans Memorial at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.

National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. to Reopen May 21

Last chance to see the popular exhibition "The Great Inka Road: Engineering an Empire," before it closes later this summer

Mitchelene BigMan with fellow members of the Native American Warriors. (Photo courtesy of NMAI)

National Women's History Month: Mitchelene BigMan

An interview with Native American Veteran Mitchelene BigMan.

Deb Haaland speaks at the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the National Native American Veterans Memorial, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. Paul Morigi/AP Images for Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian.

Reactions From Indian Country to Deb Haaland's Confirmation as Secretary of the Interior

On Monday, March 15, 2021, Deb Haaland (Laguna and Jemez Pueblos) was confirmed as the first Native American Secretary of the Interior.

Hank Adams carries a letter from the White House to Chief Frank Fools Crow (Oglala Lakota) during the siege of Wounded Knee. Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota, 1973. (Hank Adams Collection)

“The Most Important Indian”—In Memory of Hank Adams (1943–2020)

The museum mourns the passing December 21 of Hank Adams (Assiniboine–Sioux, 1943–2020). Born on the Fort Peck Reservation in Montana and raised in Taholah, on the Quinault Reservation in Washington State, Adams is best known for his lifelong work to secure Native treaty rights, especially Northwest Coast tribes’ treaty rights to fish their accustomed rivers and grounds. The writer Vine Deloria Jr. (Standing Rock Sioux, 1933–2005) called Adams “the most important Indian” of the second half of the 20th century and predicted that historians would recognize his contributions to the struggle for Indigenous rights.

“Hogan in the Snow,” ca. 1985. Painted by Robert Draper (Diné [Navajo], 1938–2000). Chinle, Navajo Nation, Arizona. 26/6481 (National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian)

Christmas Across Indian Country, During the Pandemic and Before

For the last few years, Native friends have shared their Christmas plans and traditions with Smithsonian Voices. This extraordinary year, we asked how the Covid-19 pandemic is affecting people’s families and communities. The introduction of Christianity to the Americas can be controversial in Native circles. Europeans knowingly replaced Native people’s existing spiritual beliefs with the beliefs taught in the Bible. Cruelty and brutality often accompanied this indoctrination. Yet it is also true that some tribes, families, and individuals embraced the Bible and Jesus’ teachings. This complicated history is reflected here, as well.

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