Annual Reports of the Bureau of American Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. 1897-1964The Bureau of Ethnology (renamed the Bureau of American Ethnology in 1897) was established in 1879. Its first director, John Wesley Powell (1834-1902), helped shape the field of ethnology and anthropology. The Bureau became the official repository for material and collections relating to American Indians, including those artifacts collected on federal surveying and collecting expeditions to the American West.
Bulletin. Smithsonian Institution, Bureau of American Ethnology. 1901-1971Note: Volume 37, 1910. Antiquities of Central and Southeastern Missouri, by Gerard Fowke. (Report of the Explorations Made in 1906-07 Under the Auspices of the Archaeological Institute of America). It is a report of two seasons' field work under the auspices of the St. Louis Society of the Archaeological Institute of America.
Edward S. Curtis' The North American IndianEdward Sheriff Curtis published The North American Indian between 1907 and 1930 with the intent to record traditional Native American cultures. The work comprises twenty volumes of narrative text and photogravure images. Each volume is accompanied by a portfolio of large photogravure plates. Search tip: shortcut to a list of just the text volumes by searching "illustrated books" in the search bar. Part of the Northwestern University Libraries' digital collections.
Native American History in the National ArchivesA NARA Special Topics Page created for Native American History Month. Provides links to a variety of resources available through the National Archives
National Museum of the American IndianThe National Museum of the American Indian is a part of the Smithsonian Institution and is located on the Mall in Washington, D.C. Explore resources including a gallery of images at: https://americanindian.si.edu/americans/#gallery
Plains Indians MuseumLocated in Cody, WY, the Plains Indians Museum tells the significant story of the lives of Plains Indian peoples, their cultures, traditions, values, and histories, as well as the contexts of their lives today. The museum is one of five housed in the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.
Sioux Indian MuseumLocated in Rapid City, SD, the Sioux Indian Museum displays an extensive array of historic clothing, horse gear, weapons, household implements, cradleboards, and toys.
Southern Plains Indian MuseumLocated in Anadarko, OK, the Southern Plains Indian Museum displays richly varied arts of western Oklahoma tribal peoples including the Kiowa, Comanche, Kiowa-Apache, Southern Cheyenne, Southern Arapaho, Wichita, Caddo, Delaware, and Ft. Still Apache. Their historic clothing, shields, weapons, baby carriers, and toys highlight the exhibits.
Treaties and Laws
American Indian Treaties PortalDeveloped and hosted by the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, the portal provides access to a variety of resources and information.
Bureau of Indian AffairsThe Bureau of Indian Affairs’ mission is to enhance the quality of life, to promote economic opportunity, and to carry out the responsibility to protect and improve the trust assets of American Indians, Indian tribes and Alaska Natives. With roots reaching back to the Continental Congress, the BIA is almost as old as the United States itself.
Indian Affairs: Laws and TreatiesCompiled and edited by Charles J. Kappler, this historically significant, seven volume compilation contains U.S. treaties, laws and executive orders pertaining to Native American Indian tribes. The volumes cover U.S. Government treaties with Native Americans from 1778-1883 (Volume II) and U.S. laws and executive orders concerning Native Americans from 1871-1970 (Volumes I, III-VII). Available through Oklahoma State University Libraries.
Indigenous Law Web ArchiveThe Indigenous Law web archive of the Law Library of Congress. The Law Library collects and preserves primary law sources of Indigenous nations, which are sovereign governments by treaty with the United States. At the time this collection started, there are 578 tribes and 92 agencies. This archive includes constitutions of a number of sovereign nations, including Navajo Nation, Muscogee Nation, Cherokee Nation, Comanche Nation, Hopi Tribe, etc.
Native American Constitution and Law Digitization ProjectPart of the University of Oklahoma Digital Law Collections, the Native American Constitution and Law Digitization Project began in 1995 as a joint project with the National Indian Law Library to make tribal constitutions available online. Over time the project has broadened to include other sources of Native American law as well as works about Native American law.
Native American Constitutions and Legal MaterialsThe Law Library of Congress collection contains a variety of Native American legal materials, including most of the laws and constitutions from the early 19th century produced by the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole who were forced to leave the Southeast for the Indian Territory after passage of the Indian Removal Act in 1830.
Kiva, Cross, and Crown: the Pecos Indians and New Mexico, 1540-1840 by John L. KessellA history of the Pecos pueblo fortress from the arrival of the Spaniards in 1540 until the abandonment of the site in 1840. The site is maintained as the Pecos National Historic Park, which preserves the ruins of the Indian pueblo dating from prehistoric times and a Spanish mission from the colonial period.
Civil Rights, Identity & Sovereignty: Native American Perspectives on History, Law & the Path AheadNative American scholars, authors, and civil rights activists Walter Echo-Hawk, Malinda Maynor Lowery, LaDonna Harris, and Tim Tingle look back at the long Native American struggle for equality, examine current barriers for sustaining community ways of life and identity, and address the path ahead for Native nations and communities. Sept. 10, 2015. 02:15:22.
Do All Indians Live in Tipis? and Other Compelling Questions for EducationStereotypes, inaccuracies and inappropriate representations of Native Americans continue to abound in American society today. Reflecting on his 20 years of experience working in the field of American Indian education, Edwin Schupman explores examples, causes and implications of the current state of awareness about Native peoples and issues. Aug. 05, 2008. 48:20
Hoop Dances by Dallas Chief Eagle and Jasmine PicknerTwo first place World Hoop Dance Champions have joined together to model and dance a vision of male and female balance, harmony and respect as traditionally practiced by their ancestors. Dallas Chief Eagle, Rosebud Sioux tribal member, and Jasmine Pickner of the Crow Creek Sioux tribe are both world-traveled hoop dancers. They performed as part of the American Folklife Center's Homegrown Concert Series. Nov. 15, 2007. 59:08
My Grandmother Told Me We Have Indian Blood: Memory, Heritage & Native American IdentityIn this revealing history of Cherokee migration and resettlement, Gregory Smithers uncovers the origins of the Cherokee diaspora and explores how communities and individuals have negotiated their Cherokee identities, even when geographically removed from the Cherokee Nation. Nov. 02, 2016. 01:00:23
Nakotah LaRance: Native American Hoop DancingJoining Nakota and Steve LaRance in this performance of Native American hoop dancing are Steve LaRance's granddaughter Shade Phea Young and nephew Quotsvenma Denipah-Cook. May 18, 2016. 50:58
R. Carlos Nakai: American Indian Flute Music from ArizonaOf Navajo-Ute heritage, R. Carlos Nakai is the world's best known performer of Native American flute music. He began his musical studies on the trumpet, but the gift of a traditional cedar flute and a challenge to master it led to his current path. Nakai views his cultural heritage not only as a source of inspiration, but also as a dynamic continuum of natural change and adaptation, subject to the artist's expressive needs.
Nov. 17, 2010. 57:41
Digital Audio Resources
Medicine SongGlacier Park Indians (Blackfoot Tribe). May 23, 1914. 01:33
Omaha Indian MusicOnline audio recordings of Omaha Indian songs, several of which were originally recorded on wax cylinders in the late 19th Century. Also includes photos, prints, and drawings.
White Dog SongGlacier Park Indians (Blackfoot Tribe). May 23, 1914. 02:37
