[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Pages 18741-18742]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN

  Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate the opening of 
the National Museum of the American Indian, the first national museum 
dedicated to the preservation, study, and exhibition of the life, 
languages, literature, history, and arts of the first residents of the 
Americas. This museum works in collaboration with the native peoples of 
the western hemisphere to protect and foster their cultures by 
reaffirming traditions and beliefs, encouraging contemporary artistic 
expression, and empowering the Indian voice. And since it was designed 
primarily by Native Americans, it is truly a first-hand look at both 
the history and future of indigenous American culture.

[[Page 18742]]

  Fittingly, it is not a traditional museum, but rather a unique, 
living space, located in close proximity to nature. The building's 
design reflects the solar calendar and equinoxes, with an eastern 
orientation and entrance. Historical native stories are shared through 
the representation and interpretation of Indian cultures as living 
phenomena throughout the hemisphere. The NMAI is rich with imagery, 
connections to the earth, and historical meaning.
  Washington state can be particularly proud of its tribes, which are 
well-represented. For example, an exhibit about original Native 
Treaties includes the 1855 Treaty of Neah Bay, which allowed the Makah 
Tribe to take whales from ``accustomed grounds and stations.'' An 
exhibit about the contemporary lives of American Indians contains items 
from our very own Yakama Nation including a carton of Chief Yakama 
apples, a jar of Broken Spears pickled asparagus and a poster for the 
Yakama Nation Beauty Pageant.
  Native Americans from other parts of the country who now call 
Washington State home also played important roles in designing this 
stunning new space. Johnpaul Jones, an architect of Choctaw and 
Cherokee heritage who lives in Seattle, was one of four project 
designers, and helped design and shape this museum to make it a dynamic 
place for all Americans to explore the contributions of American 
Indians to our culture.
  Preston Singletary, a Tlingit artist who also lives in Seattle, 
contributed a piece to the exhibit ``Our Universe,'' which focuses on 
American Indian cosmology and the spiritual relationship between the 
tribes and nature. His piece, a sand-carved glass, depicts the 
northwestern coastal legend of the ``Raven Steals the Sun.''
  Today, as we welcome this wonderful new museum, let us also remember 
that as a nation, we must do more to fulfill the promises our country 
made to our native peoples. As a Senator who represents 29 tribes and a 
member of the Indian Affairs Committee, I will continue to work to see 
our nation meet these obligations, and to celebrate the contributions 
of Native Americans to our great Nation.
  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, today our Nation marks the grand opening 
of the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian. This new museum, the 
first museum opening on the National Mall since 1987, is truly 
spectacular, with awe-inspiring architecture, striking landscaping, and 
remarkable holdings that richly reflect the range of Native American 
culture and traditions. By opening this museum, we have finally 
recognized the contribution of Native people to our Nation. This 
recognition is long overdue.
  The museum is not simply about the history of the American Indian, it 
is also a forward-looking museum, which recognizes the vitality of 
tribal life throughout the world. This vitality is clearly evident in 
my State of Wisconsin, which is home to eleven federally recognized 
tribal governments: the Brad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa 
Indians, the Forest County Potawatomi Indian Community, the Ho-Chunk 
Nation of Wisconsin, the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior 
Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin, the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake 
Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin, the Menominee Indian Tribe of 
Wisconsin, the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin, the Red Cliff Band 
of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, the Sokaogan Chippewa (Mole Lake) 
Community of Wisconsin, the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin, 
and the Stockbridge Munsee Community of Wisconsin.
  I am proud to represent the members of Wisconsin's tribes, many of 
whom are gathering here to support and participate in this important 
occasion. The influence of the Native Americans who have lived in 
Wisconsin for so many years is evident in the names of our cities and 
towns, lakes and rivers, and counties and parks. Wisconsin's native 
peoples' traditions are part of who we are and these vibrant 
communities make vast contributions to Wisconsin's culture.
  Congress authorized the Smith- sonian's National Museum of the 
American Indian on November 28, 1989 with passage of the National 
Museum of the American Indian Act. I congratulate my colleagues, the 
senior Senator from Colorado, Mr. Campbell, who championed the creation 
of this museum as a member of the other body, and the senior Senator 
from Hawaii, Mr. Inouye, for their vision in writing the legislation 
that made this museum a reality.
  The Museum opens today with a celebration that is expected to draw as 
many as 20,000 Native Americans to Washington. Many are calling the 
grand opening today the largest tribal gathering in history.
  I commend the Congress and the Nation for finally recognizing our 
Native people and their past, present, and future contributions to 
America's culture, history, and tradition.

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