Spring 2020

Hear Me Say My Name: Interactive Play Shows Youth Another View of American Indians

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A visit to the museum on the National Mall turns into an intense encounter with Native identity, thanks to a new interactive play presented by the NMAI and the Smithsonian Associates’ Discovery Theater.

Native History is American History: NMAI is Bringing Indigenous Perspectives Into the Classroom

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Washington state has rewritten its school curriculum to include the history of the Indian tribes so prominent in its landscape by drawing on the growing resources of Native Knowledge 360˚, NMAI’s national educational initiative.

A Lasting Statement: An Exhibition Showcases the Range and Enduring Impacts of Native Women's Art

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Women produce the majority of Native art, and they are finally getting recognition by name in a major exhibition. “Hearts of Our People: Native Women Artists” is now on view at the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C.

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In this black ash strawberry basket by artist Kelly Church (Odawa/Pottawatomi), the black ash and sweetgrass blossoms and miniature strawberries hanging from the blossom vines represent the future generations. The doll on top is the “grandmother,” who watches over those to come. Tribes throughout the Great Lakes and Northeast give strawberry baskets in ceremonies to honor life events, such as births, and during the time of “our strawberry moon,” says Church. She is among the artists speaking at the Thoughts of Our People from “Hearts of Our People” symposium at NMAI on March 28.

Island of Resilience: The Wiyot Reclaim Their Land and Culture from a Dark Past

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The Wiyot people of Northern California have regained possession of their sacred island of Tuluwat, enabling them to once again hold their spring World Renewal Ceremony on the land where it was interrupted by a massacre more than a century earlier.

A Silent Killer: Black Ash Basket Makers are Battling a Voracious Beetle to Keep Their Heritage Alive

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Many American Indian and First Nation basket makers rely upon black ash trees. However, the emerald ash borer has killed millions of ash trees. A band of Native women basket makers are fighting to protect remaining black ash trees, and a unique Smithsonian partnership could help them keep their heritage alive.