FT 8

Ecology and Tribal Cultures of North America: A Trip to the National Museums!

This one-day field trip will visit the National Museum of the American Indian (http://www.nmai.si.edu/visit/washington/ ) and the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington DC to view the collections and exhibits pertaining to indigenous and tribal peoples of North America. This ESA-Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) section sponsored event, will emphasize and address tribal TEK of the ecology and cultural uses of ecosystems, habitats and valued species. A focus will be on the ecological aspects of plant and animal species harvested and utilized in making historical and contemporary American Indian art, crafts, artifacts, and regalia. Field trip participants will have time to view collections and see close up many different exhibits at the museums. Special featured shows in museum Theaters are planned. Arrangements have been made with museum curators to accompany the group and share more information than made available to the general public. Lunch will be available for purchase at the Museum of the American Indian’s renowned Mitsitam café which features tribal food and unique cuisine from different North America’s tribal cultures (Meals $15-20 USD, http://nmai.si.edu/visit/washington/mitsitam-cafe/). In the afternoon, the group will visit the National Smithsonian Museum of Natural History’s tribal exhibits and collections (http://www.mnh.si.edu/ ). The day will feature presentations on tribal TEK of collections and traditional storytelling.