Welcome to a Native Place

—Lessons from the Sun —

Lessons from the Sun
The museum doors—etched with sun symbols—open to the east and greet the rising sun as do many traditional Native homes. Most Native peoples honor the sun as a life-giver and calendar, instructing when to plant, harvest, and conduct ceremonies.

Native societies have studied the sun, moon, and stars for a long time. Through strict observation of nature, people learned the concept of duality, or the balance between two equal states. The duality of nature is reflected here in images of the sun and moon at the museum's main entrances, and male and female plants in each environment.
Translation in Virginia Algonquian, Tuscarora, Catawba and Munsee Delaware courtesy Dr. Blair Rodes, University of North Carolina

Knowing This Place
We invite you to walk around the museum grounds and find the panels that explain the meanings of each environment. You will learn about the many ways that Native peoples changed and were influenced by the forest, meadow, wetlands, and croplands.

"There is a design in living things; their shapes, forms, the ability to live, all have meanings."
Popovi Da (San Ildefonso Pueblo)

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Show me all markers in:  Washington, DC  |  20024  |  District Of Columbia  |  United States of America

Swamp Milkweed · Wihsakán (wee-sah-quam)
Wetlands
Can you find symbols for the sun,
Cardinal Direction Marker: East
Bald Cypress · Ártu (ar-too)
Broadleaf Cattail · Káhkáhaskwar (kaw-kaw-has-quar)
Sunflower · Wádxaweew (wah-ha-way-oh)
What is a Grandfather Rock?
George Rivera
Witchhazel · Suhwe?t (suh-whet)

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