Note: All submitted events must be approved before they appear in the calendar.
The American bison or buffalo, as it is also referred to, is one of the most significant animals to many American Indian nations. It was critical to the survival of those nations who lived on the Great Plains. In this live and interactive program led by a museum educator, children will learn how, from head […]
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian brings its annual Native Cinema Showcase to online audiences Nov. 12-18, 2021. This year's showcase focuses on Native people boldly asserting themselves through language, healing, building community, and a continued relationship with the land. Activism lies at the heart of all these stories. The showcase provides a […]
Watch members of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), both of Massachusetts, as they share their culture and history in a virtual celebration of food, art, traditional stories, and film. The event features a talk by Chairwoman Cheryl Andrews-Maltais of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) on the […]
How does poetry inspire change? In celebration of the 23rd Poet Laureate of the United States, Joy Harjo (Mvskoke Nation), Native youth poets jaye simpson (Sapotaweyak Cree Nation), Kinsale Drake (Diné), and Sareya Taylor (White Mountain Apache/Diné) share how this “poet and champion of justice” has inspired their own writings. Moderated by Kelly Caballero (Tongva). […]
Join the National Museum of African Art for the opening of our Research Gallery space. Drop in on Valentine's Day for a night out at the museum, with drinks and vibe with DJ Kweku. Get a chance to see how we're renovating to bring more community into our museum. The new Research Gallery will be […]
Visit the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian and enjoy the three-day festival featuring storytelling, traditional flute music, traditional games, demonstrations, music, dance performances, and hands-on activities in the imagiNATIONS Activity Center. This free event showcases the shared history and cultural lifeways of the three federally recognized Cherokee tribes—Cherokee Nation, Eastern Band of Cherokee […]
An all-women’s group, the Zuni Olla Maidens from New Mexico are known for the Pottery Dance, in which they move in carefully choreographed steps with painted jars balanced on their heads. As cultural ambassadors for the Zuni Pueblo community, they pay homage to their female ancestors and preserve cultural traditions for future generations. Saturday, May […]
Corridor Four challenges the image of the American hero in a heartfelt portrait of 9/11 first responder Isaac Ho‘opi‘i (Native Hawaiian) as he works to put the traumatic experience behind him through the support of his family and love of music. A discussion with Ho‘opi‘i follows the film. The program will close with a performance […]
Saturday and Sunday, October 28–29, 10 AM – 5 PM Free | National Mall Bring the whole family to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian to participate in activities including dance performances, papel picado artist demonstrations, the unique art of sawdust carpets, and paper marigold and mask making. Visitors are also invited to […]
This Veterans Day, honor the military service of Native American, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native Veterans at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. A presentation of the Colors by the Kiowa Black Leggings Warrior Society will precede a wreath-laying ceremony at the National Native American Veterans Memorial. During the day, enjoy a conversation […]
Artist Raven Chacon (Diné) is joined by Joy Harjo, Candice Hopkins, Ange Loft, Laura Ortman, and Olivia Shortt to present selections from his work, For Zitkála-Šá (2020). A Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, Chacon dedicated this portfolio of scores to contemporary Native American and First Nations women to celebrate their contributions to music. Following this piece, a […]
Make your holiday shopping special and support more than 30 award-winning Indigenous artists. Visit the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., and enjoy the museum’s annual Native Art Market. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 2–3, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. This weekend event invites lovers of art and craftsmanship to meet Indigenous artists and […]
