Best Sites to Learn About Native American Culture and Native American Tribes
Most American children grew up with distorted images of “Indians” who met the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock or who killed the buffalo and the cowboys in the American west. But those warped images are as harmful as the policies and programs that forced the American Indians from their homes and onto reservations. The truth is that the American Indian heritage is a crucial thread in the American tapestry. Since the 1960s American Indians have worked to establish an infrastructure and a cultural recognition of their rich history of contributions throughout the U.S. Their art, their poetry and traditions are an enrichment of the American culture.
First People
The First People of America and Canada
First People is a great collection of links that provides a vast list of resources for American Indian culture. Browse through a directory of over 1400 Native American legends. Read the historical treaties and agreements, or make use of an extensive resource of web graphics and clipart.
> > American Indian links and resources – firstpeople.us
National Museum of the American Indian
Infinity of Nations
The National Museum of the American Indian has two locations. There is the NMAI on the National Mall in Washington, DC and the The George Gustav Heye Center near Battery Park in New York City. The museum was established by Congress in 1989 and is the first national museum that is dedicated to the study, preservation and exhibition of Native Americans, including life, languages, literature, history and arts.
> > Advancing knowledge and understanding of Native American cultures – National Museum of the American Indian
This Day in North American Indian History
Day-by-day events
This Day in North American Indian History contains links that chronicle the historical events affecting Native Americans. Listings are included for events on a day-by-day basis. The site is maintained by Phil Konstantin, a member of the Cherokee Nation.
> > American Indian History as it happened – AmericanIndian.net
American Indian Movement
Remembering those who have traveled on before
While the spirit of the American Indian Movement has existed for over 500 years, the AIM was formalized some thirty years ago. The movement advances policies that have been made in consultation with spirtual leaders and elders. AIM has defended the rights of the Native Nations against the federal government. The movement is rooted in culture, language, history and the traditional spirtuality of the American Indian people.
> > Organizing communities and opportunities for American Indians - aimovement.org
American Indian Library Association
Library and information services for American Indians
The American Indian Library Association is designed to provide library resources for American Indians and native Alaskans. The Association is affiliated with the American Library Association. In conjunction with the White House Pre-Conference on Indian Libary and Information Services on or near Reservations, the AILA was founded in 1979 as awareness was raised regarding the need for library services to Native Americans.
> > American Indian cultures, languages, values, and information needs – ailanet.org
American Indian Film Institute
Understanding contemporary Native Americans
The American Indian Film Institute was founded in 1979 to foster understanding of the culture, traditions and issues of contemporary Native Americans. Concern over decades of stereotypes of American Indians in film the American Indian Film Institute sees film as a means to perserve and maintain the history and heritage of the Native Americans. The roots of the organization reach back to the first American Indian Film Festival held in Seattle in 1975.
> > Understanding Native American culture and traditions – aifisf.com
National Congress of American Indians
Unity and Cooperation among Tribal Governments
Years of assimilation and termination projects forced upon Native Americans prompted the founding of the National Congress of American Indians in 1944. NACI works to educate the public and Congress regarding the rights of Native Americans and Alaskan Natives. NACI serves as the major national tribal government organization.
> > Better understanding of the Indian People – ncai.org
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