Creation stories, ceremonial craftsand the cardinal points

These are just the barest bits to share from our visit to the National Museum of the American Indian several days ago.

The museum's exhibits present not only the history, cosmology and cultural artifacts of the people, but they also bring the moderns concerns and creativity of these tribes to the visitor's attention. As the message was stated in many different ways, "We're still here."


Creation Story by Harry Fonseca
(who died in December, I later learned)
[1111px version]


Yupik masks


Assorted beaded clothing


General associations made with the four directions
of the medicine wheel (though the associations
aren't the same for all tribes, some of whom
don't even use a wheel to designate them)