National Native American Hall of Fame

National Native American Hall of Fame is a prestigious institution dedicated to honoring the contributions and achievements of Native Americans such as Wilma Mankiller, Sitting Bull, and Geronimo. The Hall of Fame recognizes the significant impact of Native American leaders, artists, and activists on the history and culture of the United States, including notable figures like Crazy Horse, Sacagawea, and Jim Thorpe. The institution aims to promote a deeper understanding and appreciation of Native American culture and its rich heritage, as represented by organizations like the National Congress of American Indians and the Native American Rights Fund. By celebrating the lives and achievements of notable Native Americans, the Hall of Fame seeks to inspire future generations, including those involved with the American Indian Movement and the Native American Journalists Association.

● History

The concept of a National Native American Hall of Fame was first proposed by Susan La Flesche Picotte, a Omaha tribe member and medical doctor, who was inspired by the achievements of Native American leaders like Tecumseh and Red Cloud. The idea gained momentum with the support of Native American organizations such as the National Museum of the American Indian and the Indian Arts and Crafts Association. The Hall of Fame was officially established in 2018 with the induction of its first class of honorees, including Maria Martinez, a renowned Tewa potter, and Jim Pepper, a Kaw musician and composer, who was also recognized by the Native American Music Awards. The institution has since become a prominent platform for recognizing the contributions of Native Americans, such as DeLanna Studi, a Cherokee Nation actress, and Wes Studi, a Cherokee Nation actor, who have been involved with organizations like the Native American Film and Television Alliance.

● Inductees

The National Native American Hall of Fame has inducted a diverse range of individuals, including Native American leaders like Cochise, a Chiricahua Apache chief, and Quanah Parker, a Comanche leader, who played significant roles in the history of the American West. The Hall of Fame has also recognized the achievements of Native American artists such as Allan Houser, a Chiricahua Apache sculptor, and Kay WalkingStick, a Cherokee Nation painter, who have been exhibited at institutions like the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Other notable inductees include Wilma Mankiller, a Cherokee Nation community developer and activist, who was also recognized by the National Women's Hall of Fame, and Vine Deloria Jr., a Standing Rock Sioux author and scholar, who was involved with organizations like the American Indian Historical Society and the Native American Rights Fund. The Hall of Fame has also honored Native American athletes like Jim Thorpe, a Sac and Fox Nation Olympic athlete, and Billy Mills, an Oglala Lakota Olympic athlete, who have been recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

● Selection Process

The selection process for the National Native American Hall of Fame involves a rigorous evaluation of nominees by a panel of experts, including Native American scholars like Vine Deloria Jr. and Elizabeth Cook-Lynn, and community leaders like Wilma Mankiller and Susan La Flesche Picotte. The panel considers a range of criteria, including the nominee's contributions to Native American culture, their impact on the history and development of the United States, and their achievements in fields like art, literature, and sports, as recognized by organizations like the PEN America and the National Sports Hall of Fame. The selection process is designed to ensure that the Hall of Fame recognizes a diverse range of individuals who have made significant contributions to the lives and experiences of Native Americans, including those involved with the American Indian Movement and the Native American Journalists Association.

● Organization

The National Native American Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization governed by a board of directors, which includes Native American leaders like Wilton Littlechild, a Cree lawyer and former Commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, and LaDonna Harris, a Comanche activist and president of the Americans for Indian Opportunity. The organization is supported by a range of partners, including Native American organizations like the National Congress of American Indians and the Native American Rights Fund, as well as cultural institutions like the National Museum of the American Indian and the Indian Arts and Crafts Association. The Hall of Fame is also supported by individual donors like Elizabeth Warren, a United States Senator and advocate for Native American rights, and Deb Haaland, a United States Representative and member of the Laguna Pueblo.

● Events and Exhibitions

The National Native American Hall of Fame hosts a range of events and exhibitions throughout the year, including the annual induction ceremony, which has featured performances by Native American musicians like R. Carlos Nakai, a Ute flutist, and Joanne Shenandoah, a Oneida singer-songwriter. The Hall of Fame also organizes exhibitions showcasing the work of Native American artists like Kay WalkingStick and Allan Houser, which have been exhibited at institutions like the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Additionally, the Hall of Fame offers educational programs and workshops, which have been developed in partnership with Native American organizations like the National Museum of the American Indian and the Indian Arts and Crafts Association, and have featured speakers like Wes Studi and DeLanna Studi. The Hall of Fame's events and exhibitions provide a platform for celebrating and promoting Native American culture and heritage, and for recognizing the significant contributions of Native Americans to the history and development of the United States.

Category:Native American museums