Diverse Stories, Vibrant Traditions of Indigenous Peoples

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  A Native American Women Warrior in front of the National Native American Veterans Memorial at the 2024 Smithsonian Folklife Festival program "Indigenous Voices of the Americas: Celebrating the National Museum of the American Indian," Photo by Stanley Turk, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives Dear Friend, November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to honor the diverse stories, vibrant traditions, and important contributions of Indigenous Peoples, both historically and today. There are currently 574 federally recognized Native nations—each with unique languages, beliefs, and lifeways that have been passed down through generations—and millions of Americans who engage in traditional practices and create new ways to express their heritage and identity. Join the Smithsonian in celebrating Native American Heritage Month with history, art, and online events you can explore from anywhere! Video screenshot of DY Begay (Diné) in her studio, Santa Fe, New Mexico, Smithsonian's National Museum of the America Indian Watch artist DY Begay (Diné [Navajo]) share the environmental and cultural inspiration behind her innovative tapestries featured in the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian exhibition Sublime Light: Tapestry Art of DY Begay. What is the correct terminology: American Indian, Indian, Native American, Indigenous, or Native? Get answers to frequently asked questions about Native Americans. L-R: Wampanoag Governance and Society, Art by Timothy Truman, Colors by Michael Sheyahshe (Caddo); Wampanoag Nation, 1600s, Doug Stevens/Flyboy Graphics. ©2023 The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian Dispel the myth of the "First Thanksgiving." How Can We Tell a Better Story? Examine historical details, circumstances, choices, and events that include Wampanoag perspectives, which have been largely absent from this national story. Celebrate the full expression of narrative art among Native nations of the Great Plains with the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian exhibition Unbound: Narrative Art of the Plains. Illustrating everything from war deeds and ceremonial events to family life, Native identity, and pop culture, the artworks are as diverse as the individuals who created them. Native Cinema Showcase Santa Fe 2024 Tune in November 22-29 for a festival of films representing Indigenous communities throughout the Western Hemisphere and Arctic. The National Museum of the American Indian's 2024 Native Cinema Showcase explores the challenges still confronting Indigenous Peoples on disparate fronts, including sports, missing and murdered Indigenous women, intergenerational trauma, rematriation of the land with buffalo, and more. The Smithsonian is able to offer a more expansive look at the American experience across time, traditions, and mediums because of generous supporters like you—thank you! [U0:seg_ec_id=6681]] [U0:seg_em_id=]] [U0:image_credits=]] [U0:emailonacid_camp_id=]] © 2024 Smithsonian Institution 1000 Jefferson Dr SW, Washington, DC 20560 Unsubscribe Privacy Policy