The National Museum of the American Indian houses one of the world's largest and most diverse collections, ranging from Native art to historical and cultural artifacts. The museum's sweeping curvilinear architecture, its indigenous landscaping and its exhibitions, all designed in collaboration with tribes and communities from across the hemisphere, combine to give visitors the sense and spirit of Native America.
"Our Universes: Traditional Knowledge Shapes Our World" (4th floor) is a guide to the many Native worldviews and philosophies. Organized around the seasons of the solar year, the exhibition highlights annual celebrations that bring Native peoples together.
"Our Peoples: Giving Voice to Our Histories" (4th floor) examines the past 500 years of history from a Native point of view.
"Our Lives: Contemporary Life and Identities" (3rd floor) introduces the cultural, social, linguistic and political issues of Native people and communities in the 21st century.
"Window on Collections: Many Hands, Many Voices" (3rd and 4th floors) showcases more than 3,500 artifacts including animal-themed figurines and objects, beadwork, containers, dolls, peace medals, projectile points and qeros (cups for ceremonial drinking).
"Return to a Native Place: Algonquian Peoples of the Chesapeake" (2nd floor) provides an overview of the continued Native presence in what is now Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia and Delaware.
"Fritz Scholder: Indian/Not Indian" (3rd floor) is the largest and most comprehensive retrospective of the artist Fritz Scholder (Luiseno; 1937-2005). The exhibition honors Scholder's life and legacy, bringing a 21st-century perspective to his work, and examines the social history that is essential to understanding his singular place in Native American art history. View a range of Scholder's work, including paintings, prints and bronze sculptures.
Become a member of the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian
The Chesapeake Museum Store (1st floor) offers beautiful, one-of-a-kind silver and turquoise jewelry, pottery and textiles handmade by Native artisans. Find books, music, jewelry, T-shirts, toys and souvenirs in the Roanoke Museum Store (2nd floor).
The Mitsitam (meaning "let's eat") Native Foods Café (1st floor) offers a Native-inspired menu from five different regions—including Indian tacos made with frybread, fire-roasted salmon, buffalo burgers, desserts, snacks and beverages. Café hours: daily, 10 to 5. The café's full menu is available from 11 to 3, with a smaller menu from 3 to 5.
