National Museum of the American Indian

Today we visited the NMAI and while they had some great displays we were a little disappointed at the lack of representation from the Alaska native peeps. They did have a small display on the Yupik people but it was small and not a lot of substance. Besides that I think they are doing a great job of keeping history alive.








This is the outside of the Musuem, a very impressive structure that costs $219 million to build including displays.














When we walked in we were encouraged by the first display, this Central Arctic kayak and thought there would be a lot more












Commercial fisherman use this contraption to fish on frozen Lake Manitoba. They are called Bombardiers.















There are lots of cerimonial dresses and costumes as the next few photos show and while they don't look like a big deal here each has its own interesting story.


















The Yupik Nation area showing some of the clothing and tools used to hunt and fish














Some of the masks used in "Day of the Dead" celebrations. This is mostly a Central American ritual but to us its Halloween or All Souls Day
















The Mrs. posing at the last display- a cast glass sculpture of "Raven Steals the Moon". There are lots of references to the sun and moon and the elements- things that we take for granted.