Three Special Events at the National Museum of the American Indian

Native News Network Staff in Entertainment.Discussion »

WASHINGTON – The National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC has announced the following special events for the month of December:

Design Yourself: IAMNMAI Art Jam Look to the End of the Current Maya Calendar
on December 21

Design Yourself: IAMNMAI Art Jam
Saturday, December 8
7:00 pm Potomac Atrium

"Design Yourself: IAMNMAI Art Jam" is a creative partnership designed to explore issues of identity, community and mixed heritage through art while reminding us that each of us in our own way represents NMAI. The program features Louie Gong (Nooksack / Chinese / Scottish / French), a Seattle-based educator and artist, and his newly released customizable art toy called "Mockups." Guest artists and visitors will join him for an interactive evening of creativity, music and celebration.

"Mockups" will be available for purchase and art supplies will be provided for visitors who wish to customize their "Mockups" at the museum. Cuisine from our RAMMY award-winning Mitsitam Cafe will also be available for purchase during the program.

Baktun 13: A Guatemalan Cultural Festival
Friday-Sunday, December 14-16
Friday: 12 noon & 5:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10:30 am - 5:00 pm
Potomac Atrium and various museum locations.

Baktun 13 looks at the end of the current Maya calendar on Dec. 21 and forward to the new calendar cycle through a series of lectures, celebratory foods, music and dance of traditional Mayan culture. Learn about the Mayan glyph, Baktun 13, as presented in a Guatemalan sawdust carpet; the museum's new education website exploring the myths and facts of the Mayan Calendar System; and research by leading Maya scholars.

Dakota 38: Special Film Screening
Sunday, December 16
3:30 pm Rasmuson Theater

In the spring of 2005, Jim Miller, a Native spiritual leader and Vietnam veteran, found himself in a dream riding on horseback across the great plains of South Dakota. Just before he awoke, he arrived at a riverbank and saw 38 of his Dakota ancestors hanged.

At the time, Jim knew nothing of the largest mass execution in United States history, ordered by Abraham Lincoln on December 26, 1862. Dakota 38 follows Miller and a group of riders as they retrace the 330-mile route of his dream on horseback from Lower Brule, South Dakota to Mankato, Minnesota to arrive at the hanging site on the anniversary of the execution.

Join director Silas Hagerty, along with Jim Miller and film participant Alberta Iron Cloud, for a Q&A following the free screening.

The National Museum of the American Indian in Washington DC is located at 4th St. & Independence Avenue. Cal 202.633.6803.

posted December 4, 2012 6:57 am est