Exhibition’s New York Engagements Coincide with 2017 Federal Holidays Honoring Veterans, Service members
In honor of Memorial Day and just in time for Fleet Week, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, George Gustav Heye Center will host the New York City debut of the museum’s newest traveling banner exhibition, “Patriot Nations: Native Americans in Our Nation’s Armed Forces.” The weeklong presentation begins Thursday, May 25, and will run through Wednesday, May 31, in the center’s second-floor rotunda. The exhibition will also be presented during the Independence Day (June 29 to July 5) and Veterans Day (Nov. 9 to 15) holidays. Admission is free.
“The history of the United States, its military and the conflicts it has seen is incomplete without recognizing the role of Native servicemembers,” said Kevin Gover (Pawnee), museum director. “‘Patriot Nations’ provides an educational foundation to the subject that is engaging, approachable and noteworthy. We are proud to share this exhibition with New York City during the times when we as a nation come together to honor the sacrifices of all military members, past and present.”
Patriot Nations
Native Americans have served in the nation’s military since colonial times and serve today at a higher rate in proportion to their population than any other ethnic group. “Patriot Nations: Native Americans in Our Nation’s Armed Forces” reveals the remarkable history of Native American veterans through art, photography and essays. The 16-panel exhibition documents 250 years of Native peoples’ contributions in U.S. military history.
The exhibition also calls attention to the creation of the National Native American Veterans Memorial on the grounds of the museum on the National Mall. Congress has charged the museum with building the memorial to give “all Americans the opportunity to learn of the proud and courageous tradition of service of Native Americans in the Armed Forces of the United States.” Working together with the National Congress of American Indians, Native American veterans, tribal leaders, historians and cultural experts, the museum will complete the memorial by Veterans Day 2020. For more information about the memorial, visit AmericanIndian.si.edu/NNAVM.
“Patriot Nations: Native Americans in Our Nation’s Armed Forces” is made possible through the support of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.
About the National Museum of the American Indian
The National Museum of the American Indian, George Gustav Heye Center is located in the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House at One Bowling Green in New York City. For additional information, including hours and directions, visit AmericanIndian.si.edu.