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In the United States, the focus turns to Native American Heritage Month every November, dedicated to highlighting the rich culture, traditions, and accomplishments of both the nation’s original inhabitants and their descendants. The official declaration of November as National Native American Heritage Month was enshrined in law in 1990.
Shifting to the second Monday in October, the United States designates this day as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, celebrating the Native American heritage. In Canada, our equivalent celebration takes place on June 21. Globally, on August 9 each year, the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People is observed, as decided by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 49/214 on December 23, 1994.
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While the current administration officially acknowledges Indigenous Peoples’ Day from 2021 onwards, it has yet to attain federal holiday status. Nonetheless, it is observed in 30 states and is even designated as a state holiday in 3 states and 1 federal district (Maine, Nebraska, New Mexico, and the District of Columbia).
Here are ten places to discover modern-day INative American Indian life and observe tribal descendants echoing and giving expression to cultural traditions.
The Makah Museum and Research Center – Neah Bay, WA
One of the best-kept secrets in the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State is the Makah Cultural & Research Center. Located in the center of town. This exceptional Native American museum interprets and houses 300-500-year-old artifacts recovered from the Ozette Archaeological Site. There are also other historic and replica pieces and photographs related to the Makah Tribe on display year-round.
Suquamish Tribe Museum, Bainbridge Island, WA
Suquamish Museum – is located on the Port Madison Indian Reservation, preserving and displaying relics and records related to the Suquamish Tribe. Their tribal name derives from the traditional Lushootseed phrase for “People of the Clear Salt Water.” Known as expert fishermen, canoe builders and basket weavers, they’ve lived in harmony with the land and waterways for thousands of years. Chief Seattle, an Anglicized name, was a Suquamish and Duwamish chief known as Sealth or Si’ahl.
Suquamish Tribe Museum, Bainbridge Island, WA – 2
The beautiful Suquamish Museum and Cultural Center are located just up the hill from the Old Man House village site, the Suquamish Memorial, and the restored Chief Seattle gravesite. Set in a natural landscape of native plants, the 9,000-square-foot space reflects the traditional Big House architecture of the Coast Salish and houses the tribe’s collections of artifacts, photographs, and manuscripts. The public areas offer permanent and temporary exhibition spaces, research space, education rooms plus a museum store. Click for information about visiting and events.
Jamestown S’klallam Tribe – Sequim, WA
Technically not a museum or gallery, there is enough original Native American art, crafts and woodwork in the Lobby and halls of 7 Cedars Hotel to merit a stay. Carefully curated by the Jamestown S’klallam Tribe, it is beautiful and could be compared to a finely displayed Indigenous art museum.
Located in Sequim, an agricultural center considered the lavender capital of North America, you’ll pass by numerous lavender farms, many of which not only grow but distill lavender for products shipped around the world. The people of the S’Klallam Tribes had a system of governance, engaged in commerce, managed natural and human resources, and exercised power over their homelands. The S’Klallams created a rich culture of art, song, spirituality, traditional knowledge and social structure.
Jamestown S’klallam Tribe – Sequim, WA-2
An hour northeast of Sequim is the čičməhán (Chetzemoka) Trail Exhibit. A three, six or 12-mile hike following an interpretive trail throughout the City of Port Townsend, chronicles the history of the S’Klallam people and the European settlers as they worked to co-exist.
Native Arts of the Americas – Seattle Art Museum – Seattle, WA
Primarily focused on Native American Tribes of the Pacific Northwest and Canadian British Columbian Indigenous People, the Seattle Art Museum has some beautiful cultural and historical pieces. Coast Salish artwork, the traditional style of the Puget Sound region, features subtle and personal designs. Local traditions include carved objects such as house posts, twined baskets made from pounded cedar bark, woven blankets, and other items both functional and decorative.
In the Seattle area annual special events including the Seafair Indian Days Pow Wow (July), Canoe Journey (July and August) and Chief Seattle Days (August) celebrate the resilience of Native cultures.
First Americans Museum – Oklahoma City, OK
First Americans Museum (FAM) celebrates our shared national American history through the collective stories of 39 Tribal Nations in Oklahoma today. ONE PLACE. MANY NATIONS. FAM features award-winning exhibitions, year-round educational and seasonal programs, indigenous cuisine, and a store. Since opening in September 2021, FAM has hosted 265,000 visitors from all 50 states and 37 countries.
First Americans Museum – Oklahoma City, OK – 2
The location and architecture of the First Americans Museum is very symbolic. The ancient world and the modern world intersect at the impressive 10-column Hall of the People. Mesquabuck stone, local to the area, was used to reflect light welcoming visitors to this spectacular museum. The glass dome is a modern version of a Witchita grass house. Certainly worth a trip to Oklahoma City to see the newest addition to Indigenous cultural establishments.
“Journey through time from amazing origin stories through the darkest days to areas of rebirth and optimism. Hear the voices of our thriving tribal nations telling our own stories of removal survival perseverance and accomplishment inspiring stories that will touch your heart.” FAM Video
Heard Museum – Phoenix, AZ
The Heard Museum art collection concentrates on the lives of Native peoples and consists of more than 40,000 objects. The two focal areas of the collection are comprehensive cultural collections from the Greater Southwest and contemporary native fine art from North America. Key collections include Hopi katsina dolls; Navajo and Zuni jewelry, Navajo textiles, Southwestern ceramics from prehistory to the present and baskets from the Southwest, California, the Great Basin and the Northwest. The approximately 4,000 fine artworks in the Heard Museum collection document the American Indian Fine Art Movement from the 20th century to the present and include work by some of the finest historic and contemporary American Indian artists.
In February, the 34TH Annual World Championship Hoop Dance Contest will be held at the Heard Museum February 17-18, 2024. The art of hoop dance honors cultural traditions shared by multiple Indigenous communities. With roots in healing ceremonies, traditions and practices, today hoop dance is shared as an artistic expression to celebrate and honor Indigenous traditions throughout the U.S. and Canada.
National Museum of the American Indian – Washington, DC
A diverse and multifaceted cultural and educational enterprise, the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) is an active and visible component of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum complex. The NMAI cares for one of the world’s most expansive collections of Native artifacts, including objects, photographs, archives, and media covering the entire Western Hemisphere, from the Arctic Circle to Tierra del Fuego. The ‘Our Universes’ gallery (on Level 4) about Native American beliefs and creation stories is one of the more interesting exhibits.
The NMAI is also dedicated to acting as a resource for the hemisphere’s Native communities and to serving the greater public as an honest and thoughtful conduit to Native cultures—present and past—in all their richness, depth, and diversity.
National Native American Veterans Memorial – Washington, DC
The National Native American Veterans Memorial opened on November 11, 2020, on the grounds of the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC. The memorial was dedicated with a procession and ceremony on the National Mall on November 11, 2022. This tribute to Native heroes recognizes for the first time on a national scale the enduring and distinguished service of Native Americans in every branch of the US military.
National Museum of the American Indian – Heye Center, New York, NY
In partnership with Native peoples and their allies, the National Museum of the American Indian fosters a richer shared human experience through a more informed understanding of Native peoples. The museum strives toward equity and social justice for the Native peoples of the Western Hemisphere through education, inspiration and empowerment. Through two locations, it features exhibitions and programs in New York City and the National Mall in Washington, D.C. For additional information, including hours and directions, visit AmericanIndian.si.edu.
More on Indigenous Culture & Tourism
- Indigenous Tourism in Canada – Top 10 Authentic Cultural & Adventure Experiences
- Indigenous Tourism in the Olympic Peninsula
- National Indigenous History Month In Canada – 12 must-read books
- Indigenous Culture at The Grand Theatre – Rubaboo: A Métis Cabaret
- Visit The National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa – Indigenous Art
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