National Museum of the American Indian

story, time, native, knowledge, indigenous, online, session, americans

RSS XML iCal Eastern Time
This hCalendar-compliant page is optimized for search engines. View this calendar as published at americanindian.si.edu.

NY | Gift of Sweetness

One-Time Events Celebrate the arrival of spring and nature's gift of sweetness. This time of year is when Native peoples of the Northeast harvest maple tree sap and make it into maple syrup and other sweet treats. Learn about this Native food and the ingenious process that Native people developed and have shared with the world. Visitors of all ages are welcome. Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Location Icon: New York, NY. Event Location: Level 1, imagiNATIONS Activity Center Classroom. Cost: FREE. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Saturday, March 21, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM.

DC | Story Time

Ongoing Tours & Activities Families are invited to an interactive story time featuring a children’s book by a Native author, illustrator, or created in collaboration with an Indigenous community. They will have the opportunity to engage with objects from the museum's Teaching Collection such as photographs, textiles, or natural materials that can deepen their understanding of the community represented in the story, along with a craft or other activity.  *Due to limited capacity in our spaces, tickets may be needed to enter the Activity Center and therefore the Story room (limited to 25 persons max). Please see staff at the entrance desk of the imagiNATIONS Activity Center on Level 3. **Recommended for visitors ages 3-9 years old accompanied by an adult caregiver. ***Schedule subject to change without prior notice. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: imagiNATIONS Activity Center, Level 3. Cost: Free. Saturday, March 21, 2026, 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM.

NY | Curator Tour: "Clearly Indigenous"

One-Time Events Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass explores glass art as a medium for Indigenous stories, designs, and contemporary issues. Join Dr. Michelle Delaney, Acting Associate Director for Museum Research and Scholarship, on a guided tour of this exhibition that traces 45 years of Native glass art and showcases approximately 120 artworks by 29 Indigenous artists. Also featured are works by Dale Chihuly, who established the first glass program at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, and collaborations between Native glass workers, Yolŋu (Aboriginal Australian) artists, and Māori artists. Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass was originated by the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, Santa Fe, New Mexico, where it was curated by Dr. Letitia Chambers and Cathy Short (Potawatomi). The traveling exhibit was curated by Dr. Chambers and is toured by International Arts & Artists. Generous support for the exhibition at the National Museum of the American Indian provided in… Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Location Icon: New York, NY. Event Location: Level 2, exhibition gallery. Cost: FREE. Related Exhibition: Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Saturday, March 21, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM.

NY | Meet the Author: Preston Singletary's "Fusion Notes"

One-Time Events Contemporary Indigenous glass artist Preston Singletary (Tlingit) will be on hand in our museum shop to sign copies of his new book Fusion Notes, a visual memoir of his life and artistic practices. The book features nearly 100 black and white and color images, including many of Singletary's stunning glass sculptures that incorporate Pacific Northwest formline designs and storytelling. Fusion Notes will be available for purchase in the museum shop ahead of the signing event. Be sure to visit the exhibition Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass, and then hear more from Singletary and fellow artists Dan Friday (Lummi) and Jody Naranjo (Tewa, Santa Clara) in the Diker Pavilion on Level 1 at 2 PM. Image: Preston Singletary, Raven Steals the Sun, 2019, Blown, sand carved glass, 21" x 7" x 7". Image courtesy of Preston Singletary, Photograph by Russell Johnson, © Copyright Preston Singletary. Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Location Icon: New York, NY. Event Location: Level 2: Museum Store. Cost: FREE. Related Exhibition: Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass. Saturday, March 21, 2026, 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM.

NY | Gift of Sweetness

One-Time Events Celebrate the arrival of spring and nature's gift of sweetness. This time of year is when Native peoples of the Northeast harvest maple tree sap and make it into maple syrup and other sweet treats. Learn about this Native food and the ingenious process that Native people developed and have shared with the world. Visitors of all ages are welcome. Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Location Icon: New York, NY. Event Location: Level 1, imagiNATIONS Activity Center Classroom. Cost: FREE. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Saturday, March 21, 2026, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM.

NY | Indigenous Art Through the Lens of Glass

One-Time Events Contemporary Indigenous artists Preston Singletary (Tlingit), Dan Friday (Lummi), and Jody Naranjo (Kha'p'o Owingeh [Santa Clara Pueblo]) share how they use the medium of glass to express Indigenous stories, designs, and contemporary issues. Visitors can see the artists’ work in the exhibition Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass which traces 45 years of Native glass art and showcases approximately 120 artworks by 29 Indigenous artists. Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass was originated by the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, Santa Fe, New Mexico, where it was curated by Dr. Letitia Chambers and Cathy Short (Potawatomi). The traveling exhibit was curated by Dr. Chambers and is toured by International Arts & Artists. Generous support provided by Janet and David Offensend. Image: Dan Friday, Aunt Fran’s Star Basket, 2017, Hand-blown glass veil canes, 14” x 16” x 14”.Image courtesy of Dan Friday, Photograph by Russell Johnson, © Dan Friday. Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Location Icon: New York, NY. Event Location: Level 1: Diker Pavilion. Cost: FREE. Related Exhibition: Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass. Saturday, March 21, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.

DC | Cradleboards and Crawlers

Ongoing Tours & Activities Designed for early learners (ages 0-2), their caregivers, and families, this drop-in program offers young visitors the opportunity to enjoy a book by a Native author or illustrator read by a Museum Educator, engage in free play and sensory enrichment, and participate in other hands-on learning.  *Due to limited capacity in our spaces, tickets may be needed to enter the Activity Center and therefore the Story room (limited to 25 persons max). Please see staff at the entrance desk of the imagiNATIONS Activity Center on Level 3. **Recommended for visitors ages 0-2 years old accompanied by an adult caregiver. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Level 3, imagiNATIONS Activity Center. Cost: FREE. Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM.

DC | Welcome to a Native Place

Ongoing Tours & Activities Enjoy tribal songs from Alaska to Florida with Dennis Zotigh (Kiowa/Isanti Dakota/Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo) in the Potomac Atrium. At the end of the 30-minute presentation, visitors are encouraged to ask questions pertaining to the museum and Indigenous culture, past and present. Presentations may be canceled without prior notice. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Potomac Atrium. Cost: Free. Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.

NY | Gift of Sweetness

One-Time Events Celebrate the arrival of spring and nature's gift of sweetness. This time of year is when Native peoples of the Northeast harvest maple tree sap and make it into maple syrup and other sweet treats. Learn about this Native food and the ingenious process that Native people developed and have shared with the world. Visitors of all ages are welcome. Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Location Icon: New York, NY. Event Location: Level 1, imagiNATIONS Activity Center Classroom. Cost: FREE. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Friday, March 27, 2026, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM.

NY | Gift of Sweetness

One-Time Events Celebrate the arrival of spring and nature's gift of sweetness. This time of year is when Native peoples of the Northeast harvest maple tree sap and make it into maple syrup and other sweet treats. Learn about this Native food and the ingenious process that Native people developed and have shared with the world. Visitors of all ages are welcome. Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Location Icon: New York, NY. Event Location: Level 1, imagiNATIONS Activity Center Classroom. Cost: FREE. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Saturday, March 28, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM.

DC | Story Time

Ongoing Tours & Activities Families are invited to an interactive story time featuring a children’s book by a Native author, illustrator, or created in collaboration with an Indigenous community. They will have the opportunity to engage with objects from the museum's Teaching Collection such as photographs, textiles, or natural materials that can deepen their understanding of the community represented in the story, along with a craft or other activity.  *Due to limited capacity in our spaces, tickets may be needed to enter the Activity Center and therefore the Story room (limited to 25 persons max). Please see staff at the entrance desk of the imagiNATIONS Activity Center on Level 3. **Recommended for visitors ages 3-9 years old accompanied by an adult caregiver. ***Schedule subject to change without prior notice. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: imagiNATIONS Activity Center, Level 3. Cost: Free. Saturday, March 28, 2026, 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM.

DC | Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital: "Aki"

One-Time Events Director Darlene Naponse captures the seasonal essence of her home community, Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, in this nearly wordless visual art documentary. By focusing on the soundscapes of Northern Ontario and the daily lives of its inhabitants—both human and animal—the film finds profound beauty in simple moments. Featuring limited Anishinaabemowin, Aki offers a cinematic tribute to the enduring connection between a people and their territory. Director: Darlene Naponse (Anishinaabe), Canada, 2025, 83 min. Content Advisory: contains scenes of hunting, trapping, and preparing of animals. No tickets needed, seating is first come, first served.  This screening is presented in conjunction with The Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital (DCEFF), the world’s premier showcase of environmental films. Through their annual festival, year-round programs, and online resources, they seek to advance public understanding of the environment through the power of film. The 34th annual festival will be held March… Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Level 1: Rasmuson Theater. Cost: FREE. Accessibility: Captioning. Wheelchair accessible. Saturday, March 28, 2026, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM.

NY | Gift of Sweetness

One-Time Events Celebrate the arrival of spring and nature's gift of sweetness. This time of year is when Native peoples of the Northeast harvest maple tree sap and make it into maple syrup and other sweet treats. Learn about this Native food and the ingenious process that Native people developed and have shared with the world. Visitors of all ages are welcome. Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Location Icon: New York, NY. Event Location: Level 1, imagiNATIONS Activity Center Classroom. Cost: FREE. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Saturday, March 28, 2026, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM.

DC | Cradleboards and Crawlers

Ongoing Tours & Activities Designed for early learners (ages 0-2), their caregivers, and families, this drop-in program offers young visitors the opportunity to enjoy a book by a Native author or illustrator read by a Museum Educator, engage in free play and sensory enrichment, and participate in other hands-on learning.  *Due to limited capacity in our spaces, tickets may be needed to enter the Activity Center and therefore the Story room (limited to 25 persons max). Please see staff at the entrance desk of the imagiNATIONS Activity Center on Level 3. **Recommended for visitors ages 0-2 years old accompanied by an adult caregiver. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Level 3, imagiNATIONS Activity Center. Cost: FREE. Wednesday, April 1, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM.

DC | Welcome to a Native Place

Ongoing Tours & Activities Enjoy tribal songs from Alaska to Florida with Dennis Zotigh (Kiowa/Isanti Dakota/Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo) in the Potomac Atrium. At the end of the 30-minute presentation, visitors are encouraged to ask questions pertaining to the museum and Indigenous culture, past and present. Presentations may be canceled without prior notice. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Potomac Atrium. Cost: Free. Wednesday, April 1, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.

DC | Story Time

Ongoing Tours & Activities Families are invited to an interactive story time featuring a children’s book by a Native author, illustrator, or created in collaboration with an Indigenous community. They will have the opportunity to engage with objects from the museum's Teaching Collection such as photographs, textiles, or natural materials that can deepen their understanding of the community represented in the story, along with a craft or other activity.  *Due to limited capacity in our spaces, tickets may be needed to enter the Activity Center and therefore the Story room (limited to 25 persons max). Please see staff at the entrance desk of the imagiNATIONS Activity Center on Level 3. **Recommended for visitors ages 3-9 years old accompanied by an adult caregiver. ***Schedule subject to change without prior notice. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: imagiNATIONS Activity Center, Level 3. Cost: Free. Saturday, April 4, 2026, 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM.

DC | Cradleboards and Crawlers

Ongoing Tours & Activities Designed for early learners (ages 0-2), their caregivers, and families, this drop-in program offers young visitors the opportunity to enjoy a book by a Native author or illustrator read by a Museum Educator, engage in free play and sensory enrichment, and participate in other hands-on learning.  *Due to limited capacity in our spaces, tickets may be needed to enter the Activity Center and therefore the Story room (limited to 25 persons max). Please see staff at the entrance desk of the imagiNATIONS Activity Center on Level 3. **Recommended for visitors ages 0-2 years old accompanied by an adult caregiver. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Level 3, imagiNATIONS Activity Center. Cost: FREE. Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM.

NY | Indigenous Games

One-Time Events Games are an integral part of Native community life. In this fun and active program, Museum Educators will teach visitors about and how to play several games from different regions of the Americas. All are welcome. Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Location Icon: New York, NY. Event Location: Level 1, imagiNATIONS Activity Center Classroom. Cost: Free. Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM.

NY | Indigenous Games

One-Time Events Games are an integral part of Native community life. In this fun and active program, Museum Educators will teach visitors about and how to play several games from different regions of the Americas. All are welcome. Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Location Icon: New York, NY. Event Location: Level 1, imagiNATIONS Activity Center Classroom. Cost: Free. Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM.

ONLINE | Native Knowledge 360° "Americans" Session 1: Thanksgiving

One-Time Events American Indian images, names, and stories infuse American history and contemporary life. Pervasive, powerful, at times demeaning, the images, names, and stories reveal the deep connection between Americans and American Indians as well as how Indians have been embedded in unexpected ways in the history, pop culture, and identity of the United States. This three-part professional development series focuses on the stories and images presented in the exhibition Americans, on view at the National Museum of the American Indian DC and through Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street. Educators will explore ways in which American Indians have been part of the nation’s identity since before the country began and learn new ways of understanding a few familiar events. Educators will be guided through Native Knowledge 360° classroom resources, delving into three stories:  April 7, 2026 | Session 1: Thanksgiving , April 14, 2026 | Session 2: Battle of Little Bighorn , April 21, 2026 | Session 3: Trail of Tears, Free |… Location Icon: Online. Event Location: Online via ZOOM. Cost: Free | Registration required. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonian.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RdwZwlFgT3qYCY8LLNHv5w#/registration. Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM. For more info visit smithsonian.zoom.us.

DC | Cradleboards and Crawlers

Ongoing Tours & Activities Designed for early learners (ages 0-2), their caregivers, and families, this drop-in program offers young visitors the opportunity to enjoy a book by a Native author or illustrator read by a Museum Educator, engage in free play and sensory enrichment, and participate in other hands-on learning.  *Due to limited capacity in our spaces, tickets may be needed to enter the Activity Center and therefore the Story room (limited to 25 persons max). Please see staff at the entrance desk of the imagiNATIONS Activity Center on Level 3. **Recommended for visitors ages 0-2 years old accompanied by an adult caregiver. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Level 3, imagiNATIONS Activity Center. Cost: FREE. Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM.

NY | Indigenous Games

One-Time Events Games are an integral part of Native community life. In this fun and active program, Museum Educators will teach visitors about and how to play several games from different regions of the Americas. All are welcome. Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Location Icon: New York, NY. Event Location: Level 1, imagiNATIONS Activity Center Classroom. Cost: Free. Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM.

DC | Welcome to a Native Place

Ongoing Tours & Activities Enjoy tribal songs from Alaska to Florida with Dennis Zotigh (Kiowa/Isanti Dakota/Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo) in the Potomac Atrium. At the end of the 30-minute presentation, visitors are encouraged to ask questions pertaining to the museum and Indigenous culture, past and present. Presentations may be canceled without prior notice. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Potomac Atrium. Cost: Free. Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.

NY | Indigenous Games

One-Time Events Games are an integral part of Native community life. In this fun and active program, Museum Educators will teach visitors about and how to play several games from different regions of the Americas. All are welcome. Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Location Icon: New York, NY. Event Location: Level 1, imagiNATIONS Activity Center Classroom. Cost: Free. Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM.

NY | Indigenous Games

One-Time Events Games are an integral part of Native community life. In this fun and active program, Museum Educators will teach visitors about and how to play several games from different regions of the Americas. All are welcome. Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Location Icon: New York, NY. Event Location: Level 1, imagiNATIONS Activity Center Classroom. Cost: Free. Thursday, April 9, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM.

NY | Indigenous Games

One-Time Events Games are an integral part of Native community life. In this fun and active program, Museum Educators will teach visitors about and how to play several games from different regions of the Americas. All are welcome. Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Location Icon: New York, NY. Event Location: Level 1, imagiNATIONS Activity Center Classroom. Cost: Free. Thursday, April 9, 2026, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM.

DC | Story Time

Ongoing Tours & Activities Families are invited to an interactive story time featuring a children’s book by a Native author, illustrator, or created in collaboration with an Indigenous community. They will have the opportunity to engage with objects from the museum's Teaching Collection such as photographs, textiles, or natural materials that can deepen their understanding of the community represented in the story, along with a craft or other activity.  *Due to limited capacity in our spaces, tickets may be needed to enter the Activity Center and therefore the Story room (limited to 25 persons max). Please see staff at the entrance desk of the imagiNATIONS Activity Center on Level 3. **Recommended for visitors ages 3-9 years old accompanied by an adult caregiver. ***Schedule subject to change without prior notice. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: imagiNATIONS Activity Center, Level 3. Cost: Free. Saturday, April 11, 2026, 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM.

NY | Story Time

Ongoing Tours & Activities Families are invited to an interactive story time on the second Saturday of each month* featuring a children’s book by a Native author, illustrator, or created in collaboration with an Indigenous community. They will have the opportunity to engage with objects from the museum's teaching collection, such as photographs, textiles, or natural materials, which can deepen their understanding of the community represented in the story, along with a craft or other activity. All are welcome. *Recommended for visitors ages 3–9 years old accompanied by an adult caregiver. **Schedule subject to change. Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Location Icon: New York, NY. Event Location: Level 1: imagiNATIONS Activity Center Classroom. Cost: Free. Saturday, April 11, 2026, 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM.

NY | Story Time

Ongoing Tours & Activities Families are invited to an interactive story time on the second Saturday of each month* featuring a children’s book by a Native author, illustrator, or created in collaboration with an Indigenous community. They will have the opportunity to engage with objects from the museum's Teaching Collection such as photographs, textiles, or natural materials that can deepen their understanding of the community represented in the story, along with a craft or other activity. All are welcome. Recommended for visitors ages 3-9 years old accompanied by an adult caregiver. *Schedule subject to change. Image: Photo by Matailong Du for the National Museum of the American Indian. Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Location Icon: New York, NY. Event Location: Level 1: imagiNATIONS Activity Center Classroom. Cost: Free. Saturday, April 11, 2026, 2:15 PM – 2:45 PM.

DC | Cradleboards and Crawlers

Ongoing Tours & Activities Designed for early learners (ages 0-2), their caregivers, and families, this drop-in program offers young visitors the opportunity to enjoy a book by a Native author or illustrator read by a Museum Educator, engage in free play and sensory enrichment, and participate in other hands-on learning.  *Due to limited capacity in our spaces, tickets may be needed to enter the Activity Center and therefore the Story room (limited to 25 persons max). Please see staff at the entrance desk of the imagiNATIONS Activity Center on Level 3. **Recommended for visitors ages 0-2 years old accompanied by an adult caregiver. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Level 3, imagiNATIONS Activity Center. Cost: FREE. Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM.

ONLINE | Native Knowledge 360° "Americans" Session 2: Battle of Little Bighorn

One-Time Events American Indian images, names, and stories infuse American history and contemporary life. Pervasive, powerful, at times demeaning, the images, names, and stories reveal the deep connection between Americans and American Indians as well as how Indians have been embedded in unexpected ways in the history, pop culture, and identity of the United States. This three-part professional development series focuses on the stories and images presented in the exhibition Americans, on view at the National Museum of the American Indian DC and through Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street. Educators will explore ways in which American Indians have been part of the nation’s identity since before the country began and learn new ways of understanding a few familiar events. Educators will be guided through Native Knowledge 360° classroom resources, delving into three stories:  April 7, 2026 | Session 1: Thanksgiving , April 14, 2026 | Session 2: Battle of Little Bighorn , April 21, 2026 | Session 3: Trail of Tears, Free |… Location Icon: Online. Event Location: Online via ZOOM. Cost: Free | Registration required. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonian.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RdwZwlFgT3qYCY8LLNHv5w#/registration. Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM. For more info visit smithsonian.zoom.us.

DC | Cradleboards and Crawlers

Ongoing Tours & Activities Designed for early learners (ages 0-2), their caregivers, and families, this drop-in program offers young visitors the opportunity to enjoy a book by a Native author or illustrator read by a Museum Educator, engage in free play and sensory enrichment, and participate in other hands-on learning.  *Due to limited capacity in our spaces, tickets may be needed to enter the Activity Center and therefore the Story room (limited to 25 persons max). Please see staff at the entrance desk of the imagiNATIONS Activity Center on Level 3. **Recommended for visitors ages 0-2 years old accompanied by an adult caregiver. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Level 3, imagiNATIONS Activity Center. Cost: FREE. Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM.

DC | Welcome to a Native Place

Ongoing Tours & Activities Enjoy tribal songs from Alaska to Florida with Dennis Zotigh (Kiowa/Isanti Dakota/Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo) in the Potomac Atrium. At the end of the 30-minute presentation, visitors are encouraged to ask questions pertaining to the museum and Indigenous culture, past and present. Presentations may be canceled without prior notice. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Potomac Atrium. Cost: Free. Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.

DC | Look, Learn, Create: "Water's Edge" for Families

One-Time Events Join a museum educator for a family-friendly interactive tour of the Water's Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe exhibition! Visitors will engage with three of his artworks and can participate in guided discussions, and experience items from the museum's Teaching Collection. After finding inspiration from Truman Lowe’s artworks, families can continue into the imagiNATIONS Activity Center and create their own water-inspired artwork to take home. Recommended for children ages 4-10 and their families. All ages welcome. *Visitors 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult. First come, first served, capacity and supplies are limited. **This program can accommodate approximately 30 young visitors and their adult caregiver. Image: Photo by Norwood Photography. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Level 3: Exhibition Gallery, imagiNATIONS Activity Center. Cost: FREE. Related Exhibition: Water's Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Saturday, April 18, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM.

DC | Curator Tour: "Water's Edge"

One-Time Events Curated by Rebecca Trautmann, this exhibition is the first major retrospective of the acclaimed Hoocąk (Ho-Chunk) artist. Lowe’s elegant, minimalist sculptures made of willow branches, feathers, and other organic materials evoke the rivers, streams, and waterfalls of the Wisconsin woodlands where he was raised and the canoes used to traverse them. His sculptures and sensitively rendered pastel and charcoal drawings reflect on cultural traditions, memory, and human relationships to place.  Water’s Edge features nearly 50 of Lowe’s sculptures, drawings, and paintings that explore the evolution of and themes within the artist’s work throughout his career. Join the curator for a guided tour of an exhibition that brings to light rarely seen monumental works, significant pieces from public and private collections, including 28 from the National Museum of the American Indian’s collection.  Image: Truman Lowe (Hoocąk, 1944–2019), Feather Canoe, ca. 1993. Peeled willow saplings, feathers, copper wire, 22 x 74 x 12… Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Level 3, exhibition gallery. Cost: FREE. Related Exhibition: Water's Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Saturday, April 18, 2026, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM.

DC | Look, Learn, Create: "Water's Edge" for Families

One-Time Events Join a museum educator for a family-friendly interactive tour of the Water's Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe exhibition! Visitors will engage with three of his artworks and can participate in guided discussions, and experience items from the museum's Teaching Collection. After finding inspiration from Truman Lowe’s artworks, families can continue into the imagiNATIONS Activity Center and create their own water-inspired artwork to take home. Recommended for children ages 4-10 and their families. All ages welcome. *Visitors 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult. First come, first served, capacity and supplies are limited. **This program can accommodate approximately 30 young visitors and their adult caregiver. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Level 3: Exhibition Gallery, imagiNATIONS Activity Center. Cost: FREE. Related Exhibition: Water's Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Saturday, April 18, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM.

DC | Look, Learn, Create: "Water's Edge" for Families

One-Time Events Join a museum educator for a family-friendly interactive tour of the Water's Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe exhibition! Visitors will engage with three of his artworks and can participate in guided discussions, and experience items from the museum's Teaching Collection. After finding inspiration from Truman Lowe’s artworks, families can continue into the imagiNATIONS Activity Center and create their own water-inspired artwork to take home. Recommended for children ages 4-10 and their families. All ages welcome. *Visitors 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult. First come, first served, capacity and supplies are limited. **This program can accommodate approximately 30 young visitors and their adult caregiver. Image: Photo by Norwood Photography. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Level 3: Exhibition Gallery, imagiNATIONS Activity Center. Cost: FREE. Related Exhibition: Water's Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Saturday, April 18, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM.

DC | Truman Lowe's Artistic Legacy (Panel Discussion)

One-Time Events Truman Lowe (Hoocąk, 1944-2019) is recognized for his minimalist sculptures of wood, feathers, and other organic materials evoking the waters and woodlands of his homeland. Water’s Edge brings together nearly 50 of the acclaimed artist’s sculptures, drawings, and paintings to explore the key themes his work addressed. For this conversation, curator Rebecca Head Trautmann is joined by Lowe’s daughter, Tonia Lowe (Hoocąk), and artist John Hitchcock (Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma, with Comanche and Northern European ancestry), both contributors to the exhibition’s catalogue, to discuss Lowe’s artwork and his lasting impact on Indigenous contemporary art. Image: Truman Lowe (Hoocąk, 1944–2019), Mimi, 1979. Pine, peeled willow sticks, blue jay feathers, leather, glass beads, 18 x 16 x 16 in. National Museum of the American Indian 26/9773, gift of John Lavine and Meryl Lipton Lavine Leading support provided by Bank of America. Major support provided by the Henry Luce Foundation. Generous support provided by the Terra… Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Level 1, Rasmuson Theater. Cost: FREE. Related Exhibition: Water's Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. ASL-interpreted program. Saturday, April 18, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.

DC | Cradleboards and Crawlers

Ongoing Tours & Activities Designed for early learners (ages 0-2), their caregivers, and families, this drop-in program offers young visitors the opportunity to enjoy a book by a Native author or illustrator read by a Museum Educator, engage in free play and sensory enrichment, and participate in other hands-on learning.  *Due to limited capacity in our spaces, tickets may be needed to enter the Activity Center and therefore the Story room (limited to 25 persons max). Please see staff at the entrance desk of the imagiNATIONS Activity Center on Level 3. **Recommended for visitors ages 0-2 years old accompanied by an adult caregiver. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Level 3, imagiNATIONS Activity Center. Cost: FREE. Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM.

ONLINE | Native Knowledge 360° "Americans" Session 3: Trail of Tears

One-Time Events American Indian images, names, and stories infuse American history and contemporary life. Pervasive, powerful, at times demeaning, the images, names, and stories reveal the deep connection between Americans and American Indians as well as how Indians have been embedded in unexpected ways in the history, pop culture, and identity of the United States. This three-part professional development series focuses on the stories and images presented in the exhibition Americans, on view at the National Museum of the American Indian DC and through Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street. Educators will explore ways in which American Indians have been part of the nation’s identity since before the country began and learn new ways of understanding a few familiar events. Educators will be guided through Native Knowledge 360° classroom resources, delving into three stories:  April 7, 2026 | Session 1: Thanksgiving , April 14, 2026 | Session 2: Battle of Little Bighorn , April 21, 2026 | Session 3: Trail of Tears, Free |… Location Icon: Online. Event Location: Online via ZOOM. Cost: Free | Registration required. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonian.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RdwZwlFgT3qYCY8LLNHv5w#/registration. Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM. For more info visit smithsonian.zoom.us.

DC | Cradleboards and Crawlers

Ongoing Tours & Activities Designed for early learners (ages 0-2), their caregivers, and families, this drop-in program offers young visitors the opportunity to enjoy a book by a Native author or illustrator read by a Museum Educator, engage in free play and sensory enrichment, and participate in other hands-on learning.  *Due to limited capacity in our spaces, tickets may be needed to enter the Activity Center and therefore the Story room (limited to 25 persons max). Please see staff at the entrance desk of the imagiNATIONS Activity Center on Level 3. **Recommended for visitors ages 0-2 years old accompanied by an adult caregiver. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Level 3, imagiNATIONS Activity Center. Cost: FREE. Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM.

DC | Welcome to a Native Place

Ongoing Tours & Activities Enjoy tribal songs from Alaska to Florida with Dennis Zotigh (Kiowa/Isanti Dakota/Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo) in the Potomac Atrium. At the end of the 30-minute presentation, visitors are encouraged to ask questions pertaining to the museum and Indigenous culture, past and present. Presentations may be canceled without prior notice. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Potomac Atrium. Cost: Free. Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.

DC | Closer Look: "Making a Statement"

One-Time Events Curator Anya Montiel (Mestiza/Tohono O'odham descent) offers a closer look at the museum’s special installation Making a Statement, featuring custom Gucci gowns worn by actress Lily Gladstone (Siksikaitsitapi [Blackfeet]/Nimiipuu [Nez Perce]) at the 96th Academy Awards. Then, get hands-on and learn more about different types of quillwork in the museum’s Teaching Collection. Image: Photos by Norwood Photography for the National Museum of the American Indian. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Level 3: "Making a Statement" special installation. Cost: Free. Related Exhibition: Making a Statement. Friday, April 24, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.

DC | Living Earth Festival: "Always Becoming"

One-Time Events Celebrate the transformational power of clay and the evolution of the museum’s iconic outdoor sculpture installation Always Becoming (2007) by Nora Naranjo Morse (Kha'p'o Owingeh [Santa Clara Pueblo]). Join the museum for a weekend of stories, artist demonstrations, hands-on activities, performances, and more centered on the relationship between art and the earth. To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the museum will host programs reflecting on the ever-evolving nature of the country, communities, and future we share through the unique lens of Always Becoming. The site-specific sculptures by Nora Naranjo Morse (Kha'p'o Owingeh [Santa Clara Pueblo]) on the southern exposure of our Washington, DC museum were constructed using Native building techniques. Made entirely of natural materials, including clay, straw, sand, soil, and wood, the sculptures were designed to reveal their inner structure over time. Their transitory nature reflects the relationship between… Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Multiple locations, Outdoors. Cost: FREE. Saturday, April 25, 2026, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

DC | Story Time: "Just a Walk" by Jordan Wheeler

Ongoing Tours & Activities Families are invited to an interactive story time featuring a children’s book by featuring the children’s book Just a Walk by Jordan Wheeler (Cree, Ojibwa, Assiniboine). They will have the opportunity to engage with objects from the museum's Teaching Collection such as photographs, textiles, or natural materials that can deepen their understanding of the community represented in the story, along with a craft or other activity.  *Due to limited capacity in our spaces, tickets may be needed to enter the Activity Center and therefore the Story room (limited to 25 persons max). Please see staff at the entrance desk of the imagiNATIONS Activity Center on Level 3. **Recommended for visitors ages 3-9 years old accompanied by an adult caregiver. ***Schedule subject to change without prior notice. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: imagiNATIONS Activity Center, Level 3. Cost: Free. Saturday, April 25, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM.

DC | Living Earth Festival: "Always Becoming"

One-Time Events Celebrate the transformational power of clay and the evolution of the museum’s iconic outdoor sculpture installation Always Becoming (2007) by Nora Naranjo Morse (Kha'p'o Owingeh [Santa Clara Pueblo]). Join the museum for a weekend of stories, artist demonstrations, hands-on activities, performances, and more centered on the relationship between art and the earth. To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the museum will host programs reflecting on the ever-evolving nature of the country, communities, and future we share through the unique lens of Always Becoming. The site-specific sculptures by Nora Naranjo Morse (Kha'p'o Owingeh [Santa Clara Pueblo]) on the southern exposure of our Washington, DC museum were constructed using Native building techniques. Made entirely of natural materials, including clay, straw, sand, soil, and wood, the sculptures were designed to reveal their inner structure over time. Their transitory nature reflects the relationship between… Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Multiple locations, Outdoors. Cost: FREE. Sunday, April 26, 2026, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

DC | Cradleboards and Crawlers

Ongoing Tours & Activities Designed for early learners (ages 0-2), their caregivers, and families, this drop-in program offers young visitors the opportunity to enjoy a book by a Native author or illustrator read by a Museum Educator, engage in free play and sensory enrichment, and participate in other hands-on learning.  *Due to limited capacity in our spaces, tickets may be needed to enter the Activity Center and therefore the Story room (limited to 25 persons max). Please see staff at the entrance desk of the imagiNATIONS Activity Center on Level 3. **Recommended for visitors ages 0-2 years old accompanied by an adult caregiver. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Level 3, imagiNATIONS Activity Center. Cost: FREE. Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM.

DC | Cradleboards and Crawlers

Ongoing Tours & Activities Designed for early learners (ages 0-2), their caregivers, and families, this drop-in program offers young visitors the opportunity to enjoy a book by a Native author or illustrator read by a Museum Educator, engage in free play and sensory enrichment, and participate in other hands-on learning.  *Due to limited capacity in our spaces, tickets may be needed to enter the Activity Center and therefore the Story room (limited to 25 persons max). Please see staff at the entrance desk of the imagiNATIONS Activity Center on Level 3. **Recommended for visitors ages 0-2 years old accompanied by an adult caregiver. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Level 3, imagiNATIONS Activity Center. Cost: FREE. Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM.

DC | Welcome to a Native Place

Ongoing Tours & Activities Enjoy tribal songs from Alaska to Florida with Dennis Zotigh (Kiowa/Isanti Dakota/Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo) in the Potomac Atrium. At the end of the 30-minute presentation, visitors are encouraged to ask questions pertaining to the museum and Indigenous culture, past and present. Presentations may be canceled without prior notice. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Potomac Atrium. Cost: Free. Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.

DC | Story Time

Ongoing Tours & Activities Families are invited to an interactive story time featuring a children’s book by a Native author, illustrator, or created in collaboration with an Indigenous community. They will have the opportunity to engage with objects from the museum's Teaching Collection such as photographs, textiles, or natural materials that can deepen their understanding of the community represented in the story, along with a craft or other activity.  *Due to limited capacity in our spaces, tickets may be needed to enter the Activity Center and therefore the Story room (limited to 25 persons max). Please see staff at the entrance desk of the imagiNATIONS Activity Center on Level 3. **Recommended for visitors ages 3-9 years old accompanied by an adult caregiver. ***Schedule subject to change without prior notice. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: imagiNATIONS Activity Center, Level 3. Cost: Free. Saturday, May 2, 2026, 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM.

DC | Welcome to a Native Place

Ongoing Tours & Activities Enjoy tribal songs from Alaska to Florida with Dennis Zotigh (Kiowa/Isanti Dakota/Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo) in the Potomac Atrium. At the end of the 30-minute presentation, visitors are encouraged to ask questions pertaining to the museum and Indigenous culture, past and present. Presentations may be canceled without prior notice. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Potomac Atrium. Cost: Free. Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.

DC | Story Time

Ongoing Tours & Activities Families are invited to an interactive story time featuring a children’s book by a Native author, illustrator, or created in collaboration with an Indigenous community. They will have the opportunity to engage with objects from the museum's Teaching Collection such as photographs, textiles, or natural materials that can deepen their understanding of the community represented in the story, along with a craft or other activity.  *Due to limited capacity in our spaces, tickets may be needed to enter the Activity Center and therefore the Story room (limited to 25 persons max). Please see staff at the entrance desk of the imagiNATIONS Activity Center on Level 3. **Recommended for visitors ages 3-9 years old accompanied by an adult caregiver. ***Schedule subject to change without prior notice. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: imagiNATIONS Activity Center, Level 3. Cost: Free. Saturday, May 9, 2026, 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM.

NY | Story Time

Ongoing Tours & Activities Families are invited to an interactive story time on the second Saturday of each month* featuring a children’s book by a Native author, illustrator, or created in collaboration with an Indigenous community. They will have the opportunity to engage with objects from the museum's teaching collection, such as photographs, textiles, or natural materials, which can deepen their understanding of the community represented in the story, along with a craft or other activity. All are welcome. *Recommended for visitors ages 3–9 years old accompanied by an adult caregiver. **Schedule subject to change. Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Location Icon: New York, NY. Event Location: Level 1: imagiNATIONS Activity Center Classroom. Cost: Free. Saturday, May 9, 2026, 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM.

NY | Story Time

Ongoing Tours & Activities Families are invited to an interactive story time on the second Saturday of each month* featuring a children’s book by a Native author, illustrator, or created in collaboration with an Indigenous community. They will have the opportunity to engage with objects from the museum's Teaching Collection such as photographs, textiles, or natural materials that can deepen their understanding of the community represented in the story, along with a craft or other activity. All are welcome. Recommended for visitors ages 3-9 years old accompanied by an adult caregiver. *Schedule subject to change. Image: Photo by Matailong Du for the National Museum of the American Indian. Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Location Icon: New York, NY. Event Location: Level 1: imagiNATIONS Activity Center Classroom. Cost: Free. Saturday, May 9, 2026, 2:15 PM – 2:45 PM.

DC | Welcome to a Native Place

Ongoing Tours & Activities Enjoy tribal songs from Alaska to Florida with Dennis Zotigh (Kiowa/Isanti Dakota/Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo) in the Potomac Atrium. At the end of the 30-minute presentation, visitors are encouraged to ask questions pertaining to the museum and Indigenous culture, past and present. Presentations may be canceled without prior notice. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Potomac Atrium. Cost: Free. Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.

DC | Hands On: Kapa Workshop with Page Chang

One-Time Events Learn the art of Hawaiian kapa making with Kumu (teacher) Page Chang of Pūkoʻa Studios from Waimānalo, Hawaii. Made primarily from the paper mulberry or "wauke," kapa (barkcloth) is the traditional fabric of Hawai‘i. Brought to Hawai‘i by Polynesian voyagers more than a thousand years ago, wauke is still grown and harvested locally on the islands. The outer bark of the stalk is stripped and the baste, or inner bark, is peeled, pounded over a rock with a wooden mallet, and set in water to ferment. Additional hand-carved wooden beaters called i‘e kuku are used to spread the bark into a thin cloth, which is then dried and decorated to create fabric for use in clothing, artwork, adornments, and more. Participants will have the opportunity to strip a branch of wauke and pound the baste fiber with traditional tools, and to make and take home their own piece of kapa. All ages welcome. *Visitors age 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult. First come, first served, capacity and supplies are limited. . Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Level 3, imagiNATIONS Activity Center. Cost: FREE. Friday, May 15, 2026, 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM.

DC | Hands On: Kapa Workshop with Page Chang

One-Time Events Learn the art of Hawaiian kapa making with Kumu (teacher) Page Chang of Pūkoʻa Studios from Waimānalo, Hawaii. Made primarily from the paper mulberry or "wauke," kapa (barkcloth) is the traditional fabric of Hawai‘i. Brought to Hawai‘i by Polynesian voyagers more than a thousand years ago, wauke is still grown and harvested locally on the islands. The outer bark of the stalk is stripped and the baste, or inner bark, is peeled, pounded over a rock with a wooden mallet, and set in water to ferment. Additional hand-carved wooden beaters called i‘e kuku are used to spread the bark into a thin cloth, which is then dried and decorated to create fabric for use in clothing, artwork, adornments, and more. Participants will have the opportunity to strip a branch of wauke and pound the baste fiber with traditional tools, and to make and take home their own piece of kapa. All ages welcome. *Visitors age 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult. First come, first served, capacity and supplies are limited. . Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Level 3, imagiNATIONS Activity Center. Cost: FREE. Friday, May 15, 2026, 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM.

DC | Hands On: Kapa Workshop with Page Chang

One-Time Events Learn the art of Hawaiian kapa making with Kumu (teacher) Page Chang of Pūkoʻa Studios from Waimānalo, Hawaii. Made primarily from the paper mulberry or "wauke," kapa (barkcloth) is the traditional fabric of Hawai‘i. Brought to Hawai‘i by Polynesian voyagers more than a thousand years ago, wauke is still grown and harvested locally on the islands. The outer bark of the stalk is stripped and the baste, or inner bark, is peeled, pounded over a rock with a wooden mallet, and set in water to ferment. Additional hand-carved wooden beaters called i‘e kuku are used to spread the bark into a thin cloth, which is then dried and decorated to create fabric for use in clothing, artwork, adornments, and more. Participants will have the opportunity to strip a branch of wauke and pound the baste fiber with traditional tools, and to make and take home their own piece of kapa. All ages welcome. *Visitors age 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult. First come, first served, capacity and supplies are limited. . Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Level 3, imagiNATIONS Activity Center. Cost: FREE. Friday, May 15, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM.

DC | Hands On: Kapa Workshop with Page Chang

One-Time Events Learn the art of Hawaiian kapa making with Kumu (teacher) Page Chang of Pūkoʻa Studios from Waimānalo, Hawaii. Made primarily from the paper mulberry or "wauke," kapa (barkcloth) is the traditional fabric of Hawai‘i. Brought to Hawai‘i by Polynesian voyagers more than a thousand years ago, wauke is still grown and harvested locally on the islands. The outer bark of the stalk is stripped and the baste, or inner bark, is peeled, pounded over a rock with a wooden mallet, and set in water to ferment. Additional hand-carved wooden beaters called i‘e kuku are used to spread the bark into a thin cloth, which is then dried and decorated to create fabric for use in clothing, artwork, adornments, and more. Participants will have the opportunity to strip a branch of wauke and pound the baste fiber with traditional tools, and to make and take home their own piece of kapa. All ages welcome. *Visitors age 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult. First come, first served, capacity and supplies are limited. . Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Level 3, imagiNATIONS Activity Center. Cost: FREE. Saturday, May 16, 2026, 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM.

DC | Hands On: Kapa Workshop with Page Chang

One-Time Events Learn the art of Hawaiian kapa making with Kumu (teacher) Page Chang of Pūkoʻa Studios from Waimānalo, Hawaii. Made primarily from the paper mulberry or "wauke," kapa (barkcloth) is the traditional fabric of Hawai‘i. Brought to Hawai‘i by Polynesian voyagers more than a thousand years ago, wauke is still grown and harvested locally on the islands. The outer bark of the stalk is stripped and the baste, or inner bark, is peeled, pounded over a rock with a wooden mallet, and set in water to ferment. Additional hand-carved wooden beaters called i‘e kuku are used to spread the bark into a thin cloth, which is then dried and decorated to create fabric for use in clothing, artwork, adornments, and more. Participants will have the opportunity to strip a branch of wauke and pound the baste fiber with traditional tools, and to make and take home their own piece of kapa. All ages welcome. *Visitors age 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult. First come, first served, capacity and supplies are limited. . Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Level 3, imagiNATIONS Activity Center. Cost: FREE. Saturday, May 16, 2026, 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM.

DC | Hands On: Kapa Workshop with Page Chang

One-Time Events Learn the art of Hawaiian kapa making with Kumu (teacher) Page Chang of Pūkoʻa Studios from Waimānalo, Hawaii. Made primarily from the paper mulberry or "wauke," kapa (barkcloth) is the traditional fabric of Hawai‘i. Brought to Hawai‘i by Polynesian voyagers more than a thousand years ago, wauke is still grown and harvested locally on the islands. The outer bark of the stalk is stripped and the baste, or inner bark, is peeled, pounded over a rock with a wooden mallet, and set in water to ferment. Additional hand-carved wooden beaters called i‘e kuku are used to spread the bark into a thin cloth, which is then dried and decorated to create fabric for use in clothing, artwork, adornments, and more. Participants will have the opportunity to strip a branch of wauke and pound the baste fiber with traditional tools, and to make and take home their own piece of kapa. All ages welcome. *Visitors age 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult. First come, first served, capacity and supplies are limited. . Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Level 3, imagiNATIONS Activity Center. Cost: FREE. Saturday, May 16, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM.

DC | Welcome to a Native Place

Ongoing Tours & Activities Enjoy tribal songs from Alaska to Florida with Dennis Zotigh (Kiowa/Isanti Dakota/Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo) in the Potomac Atrium. At the end of the 30-minute presentation, visitors are encouraged to ask questions pertaining to the museum and Indigenous culture, past and present. Presentations may be canceled without prior notice. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Potomac Atrium. Cost: Free. Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.

DC | Story Time

Ongoing Tours & Activities Families are invited to an interactive story time featuring a children’s book by a Native author, illustrator, or created in collaboration with an Indigenous community. They will have the opportunity to engage with objects from the museum's Teaching Collection such as photographs, textiles, or natural materials that can deepen their understanding of the community represented in the story, along with a craft or other activity.  *Due to limited capacity in our spaces, tickets may be needed to enter the Activity Center and therefore the Story room (limited to 25 persons max). Please see staff at the entrance desk of the imagiNATIONS Activity Center on Level 3. **Recommended for visitors ages 3-9 years old accompanied by an adult caregiver. ***Schedule subject to change without prior notice. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: imagiNATIONS Activity Center, Level 3. Cost: Free. Saturday, May 23, 2026, 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM.

DC | Welcome to a Native Place

Ongoing Tours & Activities Enjoy tribal songs from Alaska to Florida with Dennis Zotigh (Kiowa/Isanti Dakota/Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo) in the Potomac Atrium. At the end of the 30-minute presentation, visitors are encouraged to ask questions pertaining to the museum and Indigenous culture, past and present. Presentations may be canceled without prior notice. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Potomac Atrium. Cost: Free. Wednesday, May 27, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.

DC | Story Time with the Author: Laurel Goodluck

Ongoing Tours & Activities Hear award-winning author Laurel Goodluck (Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara Nation Citizen, and Tsimshian Alaskan Native) share her newest book Stories Are the Heart of the World during a special installment of Story Time. Goodluck will also read some reader favorites such as Fierce Aunties! Yáadilá! Good Grief! Rock Your Mocs, and more! After story time in the Reading Room ends, visitors can get their books signed by the author. Select titles will be available for purchase in the Roanoke Museum Store (Level 2) and in the imagiNATIONS Activity Center during the program. Goodluck resides in Albuquerque, NM, with her Diné husband. Belonging to an intertribal family is at the heart of her stories, encouraging children to realize their cultural experiences are unique and powerful perspectives to rely on, explore, and celebrate. Laurel’s 2025 books include Fierce Aunties! (Simon & Schuster) & Yáadilá! Good Grief! (Harper Collins). Forever Cousins (Charlesbridge, 2022) was named a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard… Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: imagiNATIONS Activity Center, Level 3. Cost: Free. Saturday, May 30, 2026, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM.

DC | Story Time with the Author: Laurel Goodluck

Ongoing Tours & Activities Hear award-winning author Laurel Goodluck (Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara Nation Citizen, and Tsimshian Alaskan Native) share her newest book Stories Are the Heart of the World during a special installment of Story Time. Goodluck will also read some reader favorites such as Fierce Aunties! Yáadilá! Good Grief! Rock Your Mocs, and more! After story time in the Reading Room ends, visitors can get their books signed by the author. Select titles will be available for purchase in the Roanoke Museum Store (Level 2) and in the imagiNATIONS Activity Center during the program. Goodluck resides in Albuquerque, NM, with her Diné husband. Belonging to an intertribal family is at the heart of her stories, encouraging children to realize their cultural experiences are unique and powerful perspectives to rely on, explore, and celebrate. Laurel’s 2025 books include Fierce Aunties! (Simon & Schuster) & Yáadilá! Good Grief! (Harper Collins). Forever Cousins (Charlesbridge, 2022) was named a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard… Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: imagiNATIONS Activity Center, Level 3. Cost: Free. Saturday, May 30, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.

DC | Story Time with the Author: Laurel Goodluck

Ongoing Tours & Activities Hear award-winning author Laurel Goodluck (Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara Nation Citizen, and Tsimshian Alaskan Native) share her newest book Stories Are the Heart of the World during a special installment of Story Time. Goodluck will also read some reader favorites such as Fierce Aunties! Yáadilá! Good Grief! Rock Your Mocs, and more! After story time in the Reading Room ends, visitors can get their books signed by the author. Select titles will be available for purchase in the Roanoke Museum Store (Level 2) and in the imagiNATIONS Activity Center during the program. Goodluck resides in Albuquerque, NM, with her Diné husband. Belonging to an intertribal family is at the heart of her stories, encouraging children to realize their cultural experiences are unique and powerful perspectives to rely on, explore, and celebrate. Laurel’s 2025 books include Fierce Aunties! (Simon & Schuster) & Yáadilá! Good Grief! (Harper Collins). Forever Cousins (Charlesbridge, 2022) was named a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard… Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: imagiNATIONS Activity Center, Level 3. Cost: Free. Saturday, May 30, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.

DC | Welcome to a Native Place

Ongoing Tours & Activities Enjoy tribal songs from Alaska to Florida with Dennis Zotigh (Kiowa/Isanti Dakota/Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo) in the Potomac Atrium. At the end of the 30-minute presentation, visitors are encouraged to ask questions pertaining to the museum and Indigenous culture, past and present. Presentations may be canceled without prior notice. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Potomac Atrium. Cost: Free. Wednesday, June 3, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.

DC | Story Time

Ongoing Tours & Activities Families are invited to an interactive story time featuring a children’s book by a Native author, illustrator, or created in collaboration with an Indigenous community. They will have the opportunity to engage with objects from the museum's Teaching Collection such as photographs, textiles, or natural materials that can deepen their understanding of the community represented in the story, along with a craft or other activity.  *Due to limited capacity in our spaces, tickets may be needed to enter the Activity Center and therefore the Story room (limited to 25 persons max). Please see staff at the entrance desk of the imagiNATIONS Activity Center on Level 3. **Recommended for visitors ages 3-9 years old accompanied by an adult caregiver. ***Schedule subject to change without prior notice. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: imagiNATIONS Activity Center, Level 3. Cost: Free. Saturday, June 6, 2026, 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM.

DC | Welcome to a Native Place

Ongoing Tours & Activities Enjoy tribal songs from Alaska to Florida with Dennis Zotigh (Kiowa/Isanti Dakota/Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo) in the Potomac Atrium. At the end of the 30-minute presentation, visitors are encouraged to ask questions pertaining to the museum and Indigenous culture, past and present. Presentations may be canceled without prior notice. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Potomac Atrium. Cost: Free. Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.

DC | Story Time

Ongoing Tours & Activities Families are invited to an interactive story time featuring a children’s book by a Native author, illustrator, or created in collaboration with an Indigenous community. They will have the opportunity to engage with objects from the museum's Teaching Collection such as photographs, textiles, or natural materials that can deepen their understanding of the community represented in the story, along with a craft or other activity.  *Due to limited capacity in our spaces, tickets may be needed to enter the Activity Center and therefore the Story room (limited to 25 persons max). Please see staff at the entrance desk of the imagiNATIONS Activity Center on Level 3. **Recommended for visitors ages 3-9 years old accompanied by an adult caregiver. ***Schedule subject to change without prior notice. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: imagiNATIONS Activity Center, Level 3. Cost: Free. Saturday, June 13, 2026, 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM.

NY | Story Time

Ongoing Tours & Activities Families are invited to an interactive story time on the second Saturday of each month* featuring a children’s book by a Native author, illustrator, or created in collaboration with an Indigenous community. They will have the opportunity to engage with objects from the museum's teaching collection, such as photographs, textiles, or natural materials, which can deepen their understanding of the community represented in the story, along with a craft or other activity. All are welcome. *Recommended for visitors ages 3–9 years old accompanied by an adult caregiver. **Schedule subject to change. Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Location Icon: New York, NY. Event Location: Level 1: imagiNATIONS Activity Center Classroom. Cost: Free. Saturday, June 13, 2026, 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM.

NY | Story Time

Ongoing Tours & Activities Families are invited to an interactive story time on the second Saturday of each month* featuring a children’s book by a Native author, illustrator, or created in collaboration with an Indigenous community. They will have the opportunity to engage with objects from the museum's Teaching Collection such as photographs, textiles, or natural materials that can deepen their understanding of the community represented in the story, along with a craft or other activity. All are welcome. Recommended for visitors ages 3-9 years old accompanied by an adult caregiver. *Schedule subject to change. Image: Photo by Matailong Du for the National Museum of the American Indian. Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Location Icon: New York, NY. Event Location: Level 1: imagiNATIONS Activity Center Classroom. Cost: Free. Saturday, June 13, 2026, 2:15 PM – 2:45 PM.

DC | Welcome to a Native Place

Ongoing Tours & Activities Enjoy tribal songs from Alaska to Florida with Dennis Zotigh (Kiowa/Isanti Dakota/Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo) in the Potomac Atrium. At the end of the 30-minute presentation, visitors are encouraged to ask questions pertaining to the museum and Indigenous culture, past and present. Presentations may be canceled without prior notice. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: Potomac Atrium. Cost: Free. Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.

DC | Story Time

Ongoing Tours & Activities Families are invited to an interactive story time featuring a children’s book by a Native author, illustrator, or created in collaboration with an Indigenous community. They will have the opportunity to engage with objects from the museum's Teaching Collection such as photographs, textiles, or natural materials that can deepen their understanding of the community represented in the story, along with a craft or other activity.  *Due to limited capacity in our spaces, tickets may be needed to enter the Activity Center and therefore the Story room (limited to 25 persons max). Please see staff at the entrance desk of the imagiNATIONS Activity Center on Level 3. **Recommended for visitors ages 3-9 years old accompanied by an adult caregiver. ***Schedule subject to change without prior notice. Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Location Icon: Washington, DC. Event Location: imagiNATIONS Activity Center, Level 3. Cost: Free. Saturday, June 20, 2026, 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM.