NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN

The National Museum of the Amerindians, designed in close collaboration with two Amerindians from the Cherokee and Hopi tribes, ingeniously showcases the Amerindian way of life, history and art in the Northern Hemisphere. The 5-storey building deserves to be observed for a moment: its curvilinear shape, pale yellow colour and Kasota (Minnesota) beech clad façade recall the Amerindian environment. It is the work of Canadian and Amerindian architect Douglas Cardinal, who is also responsible for the remarkable Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec.

Opened in 2004, this beautiful museum stands in front of the Capitol with grace and strength. He is interested in the current Indian people, but without mentioning the extermination of the Indians after the discovery of the New World by the English pioneers... On the 4th floor, the exhibition "Our Universes" explores the close relationship that links the Amerindians to the universe and nature, and comments on the philosophy of several tribes, including those of Pueblo de Santa Clara (New Mexico), Hupa (California) and Mapuche (Chile)... Opposite, the exhibition "Our Peoples" traces five centuries of history of different Amerindian tribes: Tapiraré (Brazil), Kiowa (Oklahoma), Cherokee (North Carolina)... On the ^third floor, the "Our Lives" exhibition tells, with the help of objects, photos, videos and testimonies, how indigenous communities have survived and how they live today. All this is very well done, interesting and interactive. Souvenirs (some pretty necklaces and earrings) are on sale in the museum shop. You can also discover the craftsmanship of these peoples. Outside, the reconstruction of the Amerindian environment is a success, splendid and soothing. It features some forty ancient rocks, including four that mark the cardinal points of Maryland, Canada, Hawaii and Chile, more than 33,000 native plants from 150 species, more than 25 tree species, including red maple, sumac vinegar and white oak..