There are many Native American Cultural Centers in the US that exist to increase awareness of our history and the Native people. Below are some of the well-known cultural centers to help you get started on your Native American Culture tour.
Chickasaw Nation region in Oklahoma
The Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur, Oklahoma, is committed to sharing the history of the Chickasaw people with the world. Located on 109 acres, it is the largest Native American cultural center in the United States. The cultural center provides several modern ways to learn about the Chickasaw people and their history, including video, exhibits and a huge amphitheater, a sky pavilion and a garden center. The cultural center is also home to a traditional Chickasaw dwelling for visitors to see first hand how the Chickasaw lived.
Mesa Verde region of the Pueblo People-Four Corners Region
The Mesa Verde region in the Four Corners area has many historically significant areas for the Pueblo people, which include Ute Tribe, Anasazi, and other historically significant people groups. Mesa Verde National Park is home to the Cliff Dwellings where the Pueblo people used to reside. Tourists can drive to overlooks and even hike down into some of the dwellings on the property. Ancient hand and food holds can still be seen today, complete with finger grooves of the ancient people. This area is open to all tourists and is an exciting destination for the entire family.
Navajo Cultural Center-Northeastern Arizona
The Navajo Cultural Center in Kayenta, Arizona is a historical gem. This museum includes relics from the Code Talkers that were so pivotal to the US success in World War II. The museum includes a traditional Navajo home called a Hogan, a sweat-house, traditional Navajo food and arts and crafts that are typically found in Navajo culture.
Akta Lakota Museum and Cultural Center-South Dakota
This museum is run by St. Joseph's Indian School, with the mission to honor the people, is located in Chamberlain, South Dakota. South Dakota is the home of the Great Plains Indian groups, namely the Lakota/Sioux people. The cultural center includes a Medicine Wheel Garden of Healing, which includes sculpture due to its healing and spiritual qualities that are important to the Lakota People. The garden will be used to teach young Lakota and tourists alike about the beliefs and rituals of the Lakota people.
Hopewell National Historical Park, Ohio
In the Scioto River Valley of Ohio there are several landmarks of dwellings that are significant to the Hopewell Native American culture. This park contains several earthworks in various geometric shapes that were made by the Hopewell people. The five areas included in the park are the High Bank Works, Hopeton Earthworks, Hopewell Mound Group, Mound City Group and Seip Earthworks.
Alaska Native Cultural Center
Based in Anchorage, the Alaska Native Cultural Center celebrates and educates Alaskans and visitors about the 11 tribes native to Alaska. The center has stories that have been passed down through generations, songs and dances that are typical to the tribes located in Alaska, artistic expressions and explanations of cultural traditions. The Cultural Center boasts a Hall of Cultures for artists, a Gathering Place for demonstrations and storytelling, and a Theater for videos about Alaskan Heritage.
So many different tribes and people groups are a part of American history and culture, it would be impossible to list every single one. The above list is a sampling of the many wonderful cultural sites that exist in our great nation to support education about the Native American peoples.
(Photo by Chris_Parfitt via Flickr)
The Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur, Oklahoma, is committed to sharing the history of the Chickasaw people with the world. Located on 109 acres, it is the largest Native American cultural center in the United States. The cultural center provides several modern ways to learn about the Chickasaw people and their history, including video, exhibits and a huge amphitheater, a sky pavilion and a garden center. The cultural center is also home to a traditional Chickasaw dwelling for visitors to see first hand how the Chickasaw lived.
Mesa Verde region of the Pueblo People-Four Corners Region
The Mesa Verde region in the Four Corners area has many historically significant areas for the Pueblo people, which include Ute Tribe, Anasazi, and other historically significant people groups. Mesa Verde National Park is home to the Cliff Dwellings where the Pueblo people used to reside. Tourists can drive to overlooks and even hike down into some of the dwellings on the property. Ancient hand and food holds can still be seen today, complete with finger grooves of the ancient people. This area is open to all tourists and is an exciting destination for the entire family.
Navajo Cultural Center-Northeastern Arizona
The Navajo Cultural Center in Kayenta, Arizona is a historical gem. This museum includes relics from the Code Talkers that were so pivotal to the US success in World War II. The museum includes a traditional Navajo home called a Hogan, a sweat-house, traditional Navajo food and arts and crafts that are typically found in Navajo culture.
Akta Lakota Museum and Cultural Center-South Dakota
This museum is run by St. Joseph's Indian School, with the mission to honor the people, is located in Chamberlain, South Dakota. South Dakota is the home of the Great Plains Indian groups, namely the Lakota/Sioux people. The cultural center includes a Medicine Wheel Garden of Healing, which includes sculpture due to its healing and spiritual qualities that are important to the Lakota People. The garden will be used to teach young Lakota and tourists alike about the beliefs and rituals of the Lakota people.
Hopewell National Historical Park, Ohio
In the Scioto River Valley of Ohio there are several landmarks of dwellings that are significant to the Hopewell Native American culture. This park contains several earthworks in various geometric shapes that were made by the Hopewell people. The five areas included in the park are the High Bank Works, Hopeton Earthworks, Hopewell Mound Group, Mound City Group and Seip Earthworks.
Alaska Native Cultural Center
Based in Anchorage, the Alaska Native Cultural Center celebrates and educates Alaskans and visitors about the 11 tribes native to Alaska. The center has stories that have been passed down through generations, songs and dances that are typical to the tribes located in Alaska, artistic expressions and explanations of cultural traditions. The Cultural Center boasts a Hall of Cultures for artists, a Gathering Place for demonstrations and storytelling, and a Theater for videos about Alaskan Heritage.
So many different tribes and people groups are a part of American history and culture, it would be impossible to list every single one. The above list is a sampling of the many wonderful cultural sites that exist in our great nation to support education about the Native American peoples.
(Photo by Chris_Parfitt via Flickr)
(This post was written by Jessica Barnes)
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