Heritage + History 2023 - 40

NATIVE
CULTURE
BETWEEN 10,000 AND 15,000 YEARS AGO,
the ancestors of contemporary Native Americans
first roamed the North American continent,
developing complex societies from
the California coast to the forests of New
England. In the 15th century, the first English
settlers arrived to find a continent full of
natural resources and more than 600 diverse
Native American civilizations-complete
with robust cities and strong spiritual and
cultural ties to the land. European contact
led to disease, war, and forced relocation,
drastically reshaping life for America's first
peoples. Despite the many hardships tribes
across the continent face-and continue to
face-Native Americans practice and share
their culture and traditions that have existed
for thousands of years. Today, 5 million Native
Americans live in the United States, where
574 sovereign Native nations are federally
recognized. These Indigenous historic sites
and cultural centers share stories, artwork,
and artifacts that illustrate the diversity of the
Native American experience, then and now.
HISTORY & HEROES
Native history stretches back thousands
upon thousands of years, and there are
many historic sites related to Native spirituality,
conflict, and trade. One of the
40 HERITAGE & HISTORY 2023-24
oldest Indigenous archeological sites in the
country, The Meadowcroft Rockshelter
and Historic Village features a huge rock
overhang that contains evidence of being
used as a shelter 19,000 years ago. The site
is located in Avella, Pennsylvania-land that
was once home to prehistoric hunters and
gatherers. In the historic village, visitors can
practice spear throwing or watch a blacksmith
forge iron at re-creations of wigwams,
log cabins, and a trading post. In Wyoming,
Devils Tower is a striking geological formation
that showcases the oral traditions of
the Arapaho, Cheyenne, Kiowa, and Lakota
nations. Today, many Indigenous people offer
prayers, perform sun dances, and participate
in spiritual ceremonies at this monument.
Native American heroes like Sitting
Bull of the Lakota and Chief Joseph of the
Nez Perce were brave leaders in the face
of colonialism, and there are several
sites dedicated to honoring and sharing
their stories. In Mobridge, South Dakota,
find the Sitting Bull and Sakakawea
Monuments, thought to be the final resting
place of the aforementioned warrior.
Also in South Dakota, the Crazy Horse
Memorial rock carving is the largest sculptural
undertaking in the world. The memorial
honors its namesake, a chief of the Oglala
band of the Lakota peoples who was a fearless
leader against colonists and grew up
in the modern-day Black Hills area. Your
group can learn more about Crazy Horse
and other Native American heroes at The
Indian Museum of North America and
The Native American Educational and
Cultural Center. In addition to Native military
history, groups can also learn how Native
diplomacy and trade flourished along the
rivers of the Great Plains. Once an important
trading site, the Fort Union Trading Post
in Williston, North Dakota, hosted seven
Northern Plains Tribes in the mid-1800s, as
they often exchanged furs along the Upper
Missouri River. At the Trade House, living
history interpreters and park rangers answer
questions about Native life on the Plains and
demonstrate skills like blacksmithing.
NATIONAL MUSEUMS
Across the United States, there are many
museums dedicated to educating the public
about Native American history and culture.
The Smithsonian's National Museum of the
American Indian, has locations in New
York City and Washington, D.C. Both
museums illustrate Native American innovation,
artistry, and resilience through
engaging exhibits, presentations, and films.
PHOTO DAVID TURNER/MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Heritage + History 2023

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