The Smithsonian Opens the National Museum of the American Indian

By Iretta Tiger

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On September 21, thousands of indigenous people from all over the world gathered in Washington, D.C. to celebrate a truly historic event. The Smithsonian Institution’s 17th museum opened and this museum is solely for us; it’s the National Museum of the American Indian.

The celebration started with the Native Nations Procession on the National Mall. The procession began in front of the Smithsonian Castle with Colorado Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell and Secretary of the Smithsonian, Lawrence Small leading the way.

Thousands of natives from the US, Canada, South America and New Zealand marched along both sides of the National Mall. It was amazing to see them gathered together preparing for the procession; natives everywhere you looked with the Washington Monument in the background.

Over a hundred people came to represent the Seminole Tribe including the color guard, council representatives, board representatives and Miss Seminole JoJo Osceola.

As each group waited their turn to participate in the procession, they greeted each other as if they were old friends. Everyone had a huge smile on their face and admired each others regalia. It was fitting that natives gathered as one with love for each other in a place where such terrible decisions were made against them.

“ I take great pride in creating this marker, this place of celebration” said Richard West, Founding Director, National Museum of the American Indian. “It is a symbol of hope centuries in the making.”

West, Southern Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma, was dressed in full traditional regalia for the opening ceremony. He spoke of the museum as a symbol of unity not only for Native Americans but for native people around the world.

Also speaking at the opening ceremony was Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, who was also dressed in full traditional regalia, Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, and Alejandro Toledo, president of Peru, who is the first native to ever become president of Peru. Representative Tom Cole read a statement from President Bush, who was invited but unable to attend.

Following the opening ceremony were performances by various native musicians including Joanne Shenandoah who brought on special guest, flutist R. Carlos Nakai. This was Nakai’s only performance at the festival and he thoroughly entertained the crowd. This was Shenandoah’s only performance also.

The magnificent Ulali took the stage following Shenandoah. Anyone who is a fan of this sublime group knows what a wonderful treat it is to see them in concert. As the emcee stated, “If you don’t know who this group is shame on you.”

The opening night concert featured Buffy Saint-Marie, Lila Downs, Rita Coolidge and Indigenous. Comedian Charlie Hill, who hosted the concert. Saint-Marie gave everyone a special treat when she brought on Ulali to perform with her.

The celebration continued throughout the week with several stages set up in the mall. These stages were designated for specific arts such as storytelling, music, dancing, regalia arts, and instrumental arts.

The dance circle allowed tribes to perform traditional dances instead of the usual pow-wow dances. Dance groups ranged from Peru to Hawaii to Alaska.

There was a very special performance by the Rangimarie Maori Cultural Group. This was the only performance by the Maori and they were worth the wait, drawing a huge crowd. Also present were several Maori elders who watched the performance.

At the end of the performance, the Maori elders presented NMAI director Richard West with several gifts and did the traditional Maori greeting, hongi. This is the gentle pressing of nose and forehead to the other person’s nose and forehead. Hongi is the “sharing of breath.”

On the opening night the museum remained open all night to accommodate visitors. During the week, timed entry passes were distributed each morning for those who were unable to obtain them. The outside of the museum has no straight lines; this design was to give the appearance that the museum has been created naturally by wind and water. The exterior is made of Kasota dolomitic limestone from Minnesota which gives the museum a natural golden hue.

The museum has three permanent exhibits: the first exhibit is “Our Universe: Traditional Knowledge Shapes Our World.” This exhibit focuses on how native cultures were guided by the celestial. It features annual celebrations such as El Dia de los Muertos; the Mexican tradition of honoring the dead.

The second exhibit is “Our Peoples: Giving Voice to Our Histories.” In this exhibit, history is told through the voice of Native Americans. It also examines the conflict of tribes trying to maintain their traditions while living in the modern world.

The Seminole tribe is one of the tribes featured in this exhibit. Our exhibit features a short video with Jim Shore, Billy Cypress and Moses 'Bigg Shot' Jumper telling the history of the tribe. When asked what they thought of our exhibit most Seminoles expected to see more. They liked the museum and generally like the exhibit but thought there would be more artifacts.

The third exhibit is “Our Lives: Contemporary Life and Identities”. The focus of this exhibit is on the modern day world and native people. “The exhibition illustrates the ways in which Native peoples and tribes, despite many challenges, continue to exist as distinct communities and are determining their own lives,” Celebrating the Grand Opening of the National Museum of the American Indian.

Two contemporary native artists are featured in the Changing Exhibitions Gallery are George Morrison (1919 – 2000) and Allan Houser (1914 – 1994). If you are a lover of modern art both artists are worth checking out. Their exhibitions will be at NMAI until fall 2005. Also featured is “The Jewelry of Ben Nighthorse,” a collection of creations from Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, including a buffalo skull with inlaid semi-precious stones.

During the week several other native events took place such as the 2004 American Spirit Award and the Indian Health Service Health Summit. Board Representative David DeHass attended a fund raiser at the home of Hillary Clinton. Also attending were several native leaders including Glynn Crooks, vice-chairman of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, who presented Clinton with a pink shawl. Clinton liked the shawl so much she kept sending her aide to find out more details and continued to wear the shawl throughout the night.

The festival ended with a big concert on Saturday evening featuring Star Nayea, Pappy Johns Band with Murray Porter and Keith Secola, and a closing ceremony on Sunday night.

As we go back to our lives all across the world always remember this time when we all walked together as one and showed everyone that we are still here. Our museum is to celebrate us not as victims of injustice but as people who are strong, determined and, yes, proud.