There are approximately 5.2 million American Indians and Alaska Natives in the United States, making up 2% of the population. To truly understand American history, we must look at the indigenous peoples who occupied the land long before European settlers arrived. Indigenous culture and traditions have strengthened the foundation of the United States, and over time, the country has slowly acknowledged and reconciled with past wrongs. The past few years have been full of long-awaited victories, like the Washington Commanders and Cleveland Guardians finally changing their team names and TikTok emerging as a platform for indigenous creators to share their stories.
Today we celebrate indigenous culture, it’s all around us, visit one of these places to learn more about and appreciate the Native Americans.
1. Navajo
The Navajo Reservation is the largest Native American reservation in the United States, covering 16 million acres across Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. Its countless natural sites, such as Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon, have become increasingly popular due to their natural beauty. When visiting these sites, you will be accompanied by a Navajo guide, as only the Navajo are allowed commercial access to their sacred lands.
The annual Navajo Nation Fair takes place in Window Rock, Arizona, the capital of the Navajo Nation. Held each September, this week-long festival features horticultural exhibits, art exhibits and markets, parades, cultural showcases and more.
Other attractions include ancient Anasazi ruins and perfectly preserved Jurassic dinosaur footprints. The Navajo are famous for their hospitality and operate three lodgings in the heart of the Navajo Nation: Navajoland Hotel in Tuba City, Quality Inn in Navajo Nation Capital, and Quality Inn in Lake Powell. All three properties are staffed almost entirely by Navajos and ready to welcome guests to experience Navajo culture.
2. Miccosukee Village
The Miccosukee were originally part of the Creek people, but they were relocated before Florida became part of the U.S. Most of them were driven west as a result of war, but about 100 refused to surrender and took refuge in the Everglades. Today, more than 600 members of the Miccosukee are direct descendants of those who stayed behind, and they have established a prominent presence 25 miles west of Miami, Florida.
A visit to Miccosukee Village offers three exciting experiences. First, you’ll learn how to touch and ride a Florida alligator – if you’re brave enough, you’ll find it’s hard to replicate and just as hard to capture on film a wrestling alligator. Then, you’ll take an airboat ride through the Everglades with a Miccosukee fisherman, hunter and frog fisherman guide. The highlight of the trip is a visit to a small island where you can see a traditional Miccosukee camp.
Finally, the Miccosukee Museum features a village with a Miccosukee traditional open-sided house, a “chickie,” as well as patchwork sewing and cooking demonstrations. There are several festivals held annually, but the most anticipated is the Miccosukee Indian Arts & Crafts Festival, which features storytelling, fire performances, and handmade arts and crafts. All proceeds benefit the Miccosukee Education Fund to provide educational programs for Miccosukee youth.
3. Grand Canyon West Rim
The Grand Canyon West Rim is home to the Hualapai Tribe, which means national park passes are not accepted there. Over 1,300 tribal members live on the grounds, and popular attractions like the Skywalk and Zipline are part of their business, meaning all fees and spending there directly benefit the Hualapai Tribe.
Your trip begins with a visit to Hualapai Point, formerly known as the Hualapai Ranch. There you’ll find a trading post with tribal envoys creating artworks Sunday through Tuesday. Hualapai singers and dancers perform daily from Friday through Sunday. For a taste of traditional cuisine, try Gwe Ma’Jo restaurant, which serves breakfast and lunch; the fried bread is a must. Handcrafted souvenirs are available for purchase at the on-site Native Hands.
Popular lookout areas include Eagle Point and Guano Point, which offer panoramic views of the canyon. Rafting on the Colorado River is also available with Hualapai River Runners. They offer one- and two-day trips led by certified Hualapai guides. On the tours you’ll learn about the area’s geology, local flora and fauna, and the history and native culture of the Hualapai people. Accommodations include the Hualapai Lodge, the starting point for rafting along Route 66, a cabin at Grand Canyon West near Hualapai Point, or an RV park near the main terminal. RV reservations should be made by phone. All activities finish by 4:30 PM.
4. Cherokee
The Cherokee Nation was one of the tribes most displaced by the Trail of Tears. Originally from the Appalachian Mountains of southern Georgia, today the Cherokee Nation comprises 14 counties in Oklahoma. The Cherokee Nation continues to thrive through resilience and determination. Published the first newspaper on Native American territory, the Cherokee have always been known as a progressive people and boast a long history of trade and alliances with Britain and Europe that began long before settlers arrived.
Popular spots include the Cherokee National History Museum, where you can take arts and crafts classes and learn the Cherokee syllabary. Every October, the Cherokee Art Market in Tulsa, Oklahoma, invites only the most talented artists to compete for a $75,000 prize. At the event, you can watch art demonstrations and view impressive displays of native jewelry, pottery, weaving, paintings and sculptures.
It’s important to note that the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma is distinct from the Eastern Cherokee Tribe based in the Qualla border of North Carolina, so if you’re visiting the latter, you can’t go wrong by stopping off at the world-famous Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual, located directly across from the Museum of the Cherokee Indian.
5. Haudenosaunee (aka Iroquois) Confederacy
Also known as the International League or Haudenosaunee, the confederation is made up of six tribes: the Seneca, Cayuga, Mohawk, Onondaga, Oneida and Tuscarora. The tribes united centuries ago, and their organizational model is believed to have inspired the U.S. Constitution. You can visit tribe-sponsored attractions scattered across upstate New York, Wisconsin, Quebec and Ontario.
The Seneca Iroquois National Museum in Salamanca, New York, is home to more than 300,000 ancient and modern artworks, including wooden face masks, corn husk dolls, and rattles. In 2018, it moved to a new building and underwent a major expansion that includes an outdoor amphitheater, archives, offices, and the Onosagwe:de Cultural Center. Events are held throughout the year, including moccasin-making classes, corn husk doll classes, singing and dancing classes, and exploring Native American culture. Each November, the museum hosts an annual festival that features and supports local artists and Native American food vendors.
Ganondagan State Historic Site in Victor, New York, sits on the original site of a 17th-century Seneca town. Today, it connects visitors to Seneca culture and the natural world through workshops and talks by Native speakers, interactive exhibits, and the annual Hodinohso:ni’ art show at the on-site Seneca Arts & Cultural Center.
The annual Iroquois Festival takes place at the Iroquois Museum in Howe’s Cave, New York, over Labor Day weekend. The beautiful costumes worn by the dancers and singers may be the highlight of the festival. As always, be sure to ask permission before taking photos. The Iroquois Museum is usually open from April to November and is well worth a visit.
6. Standing Rock Sioux Reservation
Spanning more than two million acres, the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation is the fifth largest reservation in the U.S. The reservation is filled with historical significance and natural beauty.
The area is known for being a place to view bald eagles, sacred birds in Native American cultures, and visitors can drive along the 86-mile Standing Rock National Native American Scenic Byway, which features signs and interpretive plaques that tell the history of the region’s Native American tribes.
On your drive, stop at the Akta Lakota Museum and Cultural Center. The Lakota are one of the major tribes of the Sioux. The museum features an artifact collection, a gift shop, book readings and events such as Museum Mondays, free weekly presentations in July and August that educate the public about Lakota philosophy, anthropology and other areas.
Nearby Mobridge is home to the Kline Museum, featuring 10 murals by Native American artist Oscar Howe, and the Sitting Bull Memorial, a Sioux leader best known for defeating General Custer at the Little Bighorn but beloved for so much more, and this memorial was built as his final resting place.
If you like street art, stop by Eagle Butte for the Red Can Graffiti Jam, an annual festival organized by the Cheyenne River Youth Project that paints a variety of murals throughout the area. It combines Lakota and graffiti culture to revitalize the area and provide a new platform for Native American artists.
7. Wind River Conservation Area
The Wind River Reservation in southwestern Wyoming is home to both the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes.
Nature lovers can explore the Wind River Canyon Scenic Byway. A 40-minute drive (not including stops along the way), the aptly named byway stretches from Shoshone to Thermopolis, home to the world’s largest mineral springs. Camping options abound at the state’s highest point, Gannett Peak (over 13,000 feet above sea level).
Be sure to visit Sacajawea’s grave at Sacajawea Cemetery in Fort Washakie, Wyoming. Fort Washakie is also the final resting place of Chief Washakie, one of the Eastern Shoshone’s most prominent leaders. The fort hosts the reservation’s largest annual event, Eastern Shoshone Indian Days, held in June. The event is open to the public and includes a mass powwow, rodeo and a re-enactment of the 1868 treaty signing.
8. Chickasaw Country
The Chickasaw have territorial jurisdiction in Oklahoma, but have relocated throughout Mississippi, Kentucky, Alabama and Tennessee. The Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur, Oklahoma, is a state-of-the-art facility with permanent and traveling exhibits, agricultural tours and cooking demonstrations, lectures and hands-on educational activities.
Exhibit C Gallery in Oklahoma City serves as an art gallery and retail space. Owned by the Chickasaw Nation, it displays work by Native American artists. It also serves as a visitor information center and provides information on Native American attractions and activities throughout Chickasaw Country. If you live in Mississippi, you’ll also find the Chickasaw Heritage Trail in Tupelo.
Jen Lewis is a full-time travel writer and content creator based in Puerto Rico.
