Facing true south are acrylic prisms that catch the sun’s rays and reflect a spectacular light spectrum onto the interior of the museum’s Potomac. This is easily the most aesthetically pleasing aspect of the museum and probably the most symbolic.The sun ‘creates’ a spectacular light show within the Potomac, symbolizing the creation story of many American Indians in which the sun created life. . . . Cardinal successfully addresses the American Indian identity crisis through the galleries at the museum. Cardinal was given a chance to represent the American Indian at the National Mall. He not only succeed in giving the District of Colombia a architectural masterpiece he was also able to educate the general public about what a true American Indian ‘is’.
The ideas of this building are about origins and creation not the history or anthropology.
The design of the interior of the building is entirely confusing. Artifacts from completely different time periods are placed next to each other behind glass- for example, a painting on a hard-hat of betty boop rests naturally next to a thousand year old arrowhead. There are rows of drawers that are barely noticeable but easily opened, and surprisingly, inside each one is an extremely fascinating and priceless Native American artifacts, including dozens of further arrowheads, and many of other older items that have lasted hundreds of years worth of existence. . . . It is apparent that the design of the areas meant to educate about Indians can very easily leave most visitors more confused about the ancestry than when they entered. However, I believe this was intentional. . . . Native Americans know very little about their own history. This is due to the fact that they were nomadic in the days they roamed America, and one tribe would have very rarely met up with another. . . . As nomads, no cities where formed, and therefore leaving nothing to be searched today. Written documents were not in the norm for the culture, therefore history of the Indian clans were passed on by mouth, and over hundreds of years became distorted and unreliable as a reliable account for information. As the museum shows, all that truly remains are hundreds of arrowheads, some pottery, stories, and a few religiously significant creations.
I realized after seeing the photographs just how different the Washington area was before industrialization, and I believe this is a very persuasive media for educating visitors of the extreme changes that occurred as a result of western colonization.
Most impactful were the videos presented on LCD screens in each tribe's alcove of the exhibit. . . . What they communicate most effectively is the struggle for identity and economic trials of American Indian tribes now and over the past few decades. . . . Other parts of the exhibit tell of the identity crisis many American Indians face between preserving tribal life and surviving U.S. culture.
A major message the museum is trying to share is that American Indians are still alive today because of "survivance", or doing what they can to keep their culture alive. . . . The Kumeyaay people have a "star gathering". Young people in the video featuring this celebration explain how it allows them to understand their identity as American Indians as well as learning about their culture, having fun and uniting their people. . . . This museum is made for all audiences. An American Indian can visit, and learn about other tribes, or appreciate the museum's collection of artifacts and artwork. A non-American Indian can visit and learn about this culture that co-exists in their own country.
The best thing about this museum is the structure itself and the surrounding landscape. The building and the site are steeped in symbolism that is seldom seen in other Smithsonian institutions. The planets’ alignment the night Congress approved the museum is etched into the entrance way to the museum, the “grandfather” rocks plotted at each cardinal direction point around the building with plants and topography indicative of its point are just a few, interesting details that go unnoticed at the NMAI.
I can’t help but get caught up in the irony of it all. White people flocking to the NMAI to see what their potential ancestors destroyed, buying “Native American” blankets made in Oregon that was probably once inhabited by Indians in the first place. Native American culture is available and it comes in my size.
Why does the museum exist in the first place? Part of the struggle of indigenous people is dealing with unequal rights and segregation. Why is it that talented, contemporary Native American artists can only have their work housed with that of other Natives? . . . No matter how close one can get to the works, there is still a sense of voyeurism.
Though the museum prides itself on being the first American Indian education facility that works with indigenous people to provide a non-biased and real account of native history and lifestyle, there was a lot of propaganda within the museum. One example of this is in the Our Lives exhibit where the Kumeyaay tribe discusses its casino on their reservation. One tribe member, Nancy, is quoted: “The acorn has been with us for a long time. Our ancestors survived on this resource. Today we have the golden Acorn Casino to reminds us of the past and to provide for the future.” . . . Another issue that the museum just flat out ignores is the Indian Rights acts of the late 20th century. Though there is some examination of racism and broken treaties of the eighteenth and nineteenth century, very little is shown about the governments actions from the last few decades including the pressing actuality of reservation life today.
The American Indian Museum educates visitors from far and wide on past Indian culture and pushes forward the documentation of this culture in modern day. Should they, however, only share some of the more attractive aspects of the present-day Indian and ignore the hardships they still attain? The museum only shows an appealing side of the Indian life tourists want to see, not what is one hundred percent reality.
Although, the museum is very enjoyable and a top on my list, the idea of stereotype and capitalism has poisoned the museum. The first problem I encountered was before I even stepped through the front door. The architecture is supposed to repersent the natural, organic curves of the earth, which I understand but the use of a light color sandstone rocks to create the outer core I am in disagreement with. This portrays the image of the desert or western rocky area, and this being the American Indian museum, it gives off the idea that those tribes in the western region of america are the only tribes being talked about inside. This also pushes the idea of stereotyping or making to please the idea of what we think the native american is, by using nothing but the land to repersent them. . . . The other disease within the museum is the use of the girft shop and profit. To go along with what the museum is teaching us about the native people, with their use of the land and morals, they are once again doing the exact opposite and are jacking the prices on souvenirs and even food skyhigh. This is the prime idea of capitalism, and the knowledge of the majority of visitors being tourists, they are totally taking advantage of them and only see profits in their eyes. I understand the museum is free, but how much is public or government funding is there, how much money is going to these tribes that are featured in the museum, and how much profit is going into the pockets of the higher level of the museum?
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