- Details
- By Elyse Wild
“Yahipi kin waste” (Welcome in Dakota) signs greeted visitors to the Hocokato Ti, the Museum and Cultural Center of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community in Shakopee, Minnesota, on December 2nd, as they hosted a livestream event to bring attention to the diversity of Native American cultures on Tribal Museums Day.
Tribal Museums Day, which takes place on the first Saturday of December, began last year in celebration of the Association on American Indian Affairs' 100th anniversary. The day also brings attention to Native artists and businesses.
“We have been working on protecting sovereignty, culture, and languages. We appreciate the work that all of these museums do across the country and like to be able to highlight what's going on in all of these different places, ” Frank Ettawageshik, President of the Association on American Indian Affairs, said at the event at Hocokato Ti.
Visitors at Hocokato Ti received free admission to displays that move from prehistory to the present day, starting with a Dakota creation story of how the creator formed the land in the primordial waters.
Make A Donation Here
Tools, garments, and other historical artifacts surround the walkways of the exhibit. Many pieces come from community members or the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.
“This has been very important to tell our own story,” Andy Vig, Director of Hocokata Ti, said. Being a tribe and owning our own Tribal Museum and Cultural Center, we get to tell our narrative and perspective. We are very happy to be a part of this day.”
The livestream event also featured museums around the country, including the Navajo Nation Museum, Center for Native Futures, and the Osage Nation Museum.
More than 100 Tribal Museums and Cultural Centers provide significant educational opportunities for the public by sharing wisdom and stories that are told by experts, including elders, academics, researchers, and citizens. Each Tribal Museum has a unique story to share and visitors can learn about local history, purchase art, and other Native-made goods at each museum.
“These places play a vital role within our Native communities and are catalysts for our dynamic cultures. Tribal Museums and Culture Centers do not only interpret and share our culture but their most vital role is to provide space for Native communities to activate and participate in arts and traditions," said Shannon Martin, who emceed the livestream. “We encourage everyone to visit each and every one of these amazing places, the ones that were showcased today, but also the 130 museums throughout the country."
For a complete list of Tribal Museums and Cultural Centers across Indian Country, see the Association on American Indian Affairs website.
More Stories Like This
Mitchell Museum of the American Indian Changes Name to Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations MuseumQ&A: Sicangu Lakota Filmmaker Yvonne Russo on Her New Hulu Series, 'Vow of Silence: The Assassination of Annie Mae'
Third Annual Tribal Museums Day Centers Diverse Histories, Cultures & Lifeways
Tommy Orange's "Wandering Stars" Makes TIME's 100 Must-Read Books of 2024 List
Barbie Honors Maria Tallchief, America’s First Prima Ballerina, with Inspiring Women Doll for Native American Heritage Month
Support Independent Indigenous Journalism That Holds Power to Account
With the election now decided, Native News Online is recommitting to our core mission: rigorous oversight of federal Indian policy and its impact on tribal communities.
The previous Trump administration’s record on Indian Country — from the reduction of sacred sites to aggressive energy development on tribal lands — demands heightened vigilance as we enter this new term. Our Indigenous-centered newsroom will provide unflinching coverage of policies affecting tribal sovereignty, sacred site protection, MMIR issues, water rights, Indian health, and economic sovereignty.
This critical watchdog journalism requires resources. Your support, in any amount, helps maintain our independent, Native-serving news coverage. Every contribution helps keep our news free for all of our relatives. Please donate today to ensure Native News Online can thrive and deliver impactful, independent journalism.
