Museum of the American Indian

I was in fifth or sixth grade when my teacher asked what nationality I was, or perhaps where my family came from or some question along those lines, and I answered, "I'm just American."  Not exactly to her credit, I remember her laughing.  Then she said that she doubted the probability of this considering my rather pale skin.  I was thoroughly embarrassed but had been sufficiently awakened to the truth that very few of us have ancestors who were truly the first Americans.

The National Museum of the American Indian is dedicated to those who preceded my own ancestors (which, yes, I later discovered had traveled this way from Ireland during the potato famine and from other European nations).  This Smithsonian facility also features native cultures from Mexico and other nearby countries.  These are cultures rich with costumes, artistry, and artifacts steeped in tradition and spirituality.  When planning educational tours, this is just the kind of attraction you should consider.  All of the Smithsonian facilities seek to educate and in this case perhaps bring to light a world that is sometimes misunderstood and often underestimated as a vital component to our country's makeup today.

(Photo by jsgphoto's on Flickr)