A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
Nation to Nation: Treaties Between the United States and American Indian Nations Opening on September 21, 2014 at National Museum of the American Indian
From left, Faithkeeper of the Turtle Clan of the Onondaga Nation of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Oren Lyons, PHD, Tadodaho of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chief Sidney Hill, Guest Curator Suzan Harjo (Cheyenne and Hodulgee Muscogee), National Museum of the American Indian Director Kevin Gover (Pawnee) and Executive for Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries Jim Gardner, front right, unveil the Treaty of Canandaigua of 1794 on loan from the National Archives in the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian on Monday, Sept. 8, 2014 in Washington. The Treaty, between the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and the United States is signed by President George Washington and The Six Nations (Iroquois). (Kevin Wolf/AP Images for The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian)
A historical document transfer at the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) was made on September 8th. The Treaty of Canandaigua between the Haudenosaunee (the Six Nations, or Iroquois Confederacy) and the United States, signed by George Washington in 1794 was delivered to NMAI from the National Archives and Records Administration. This treaty on-loan has never been displayed at this magnitude and was greeted and accepted by Chief Oren Lyons, Ph.D., the Faithkeeper of the Turtle Clan of the Onondaga Nation of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy along with NMAI Museum Director, Kevin Gover.
The receiving of the document is the kick-off for a series of events that coincide with NMAI's 10th Anniversary – and the opening of Nation to Nation: Treaties Between the United States and American Indian Nations on September 21, 2014.
ABOUT NATION TO NATION:
The exhibition focuses on eight treaties representing the approximately 374 ratified between the United States and the Native Nations, on loan from the National Archives. Each document details and solidifies the diplomatic agreements between the United States and the neighboring Native Nations. Told from the point of view of the Indian Nations and accompanied by US testimonials, curated by Suzan Shown Harjo (Cheyenne/Hodulgee Muscogee) the story is woven through five sections: Introduction to Treaties, Serious Diplomacy, Bad Acts, Bad Paper, Great Nations Keep Their Word and Reflections.
Featuring more than 125 objects from the museum's collection and private lenders – including art and artifact - the Navajo blanket owned by General William Sherman, a collection of Plains Nations pipes and beaded pipe bags, peace medals given to Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and the sword and scabbard of Andrew Jackson (on loan from the National Museum of American History) - tell the story of our early ancestors and our efforts to live side-by-side at the birth of the United States. Video installation, Archival photographs, wampum belts, textiles, baskets and peace medals highlight each historical moment in time.
The Museum is located at 4th St & Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20560, United States.
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