Allan Houser’s Earth Song depicts an Apache man singing a song of respect, a prayer to Mother Earth. Discover why Earth Song is a masterpiece with David Roche, Dickey Family Director and CEO of the Heard Museum.
Native American art – West
A headdress that is in exceptional condition tells us about warrior culture among the Lakota or Cheyenne
Headdress (Cheyenne or Lakota)
A drawing in pencil, ink, and watercolor over 8 feet long tells the story of the Battle of Little Bighorn
Mató Nájin/Standing Bear, Battle of Little Bighorn
It took Carrie Bethel 3 years to make this basket
Carrie Bethel, Basket bowl
Studying art during a pandemic, a rare early Plains war shirt, and cultural resilience in the face of disease.
War Shirt (Upper Missouri River)
This one-of-a-kind suitcase tells the surprising story of an artist, a wedding, and a people.
Nellie Two Bear Gates, Suitcase
What most American students learn about as Custer's Last Stand was the last great victory for the Lakota people.
Henry Oscar One Bull, Custer’s War
Six bears were required to create this necklace, meant imbue the Pawnee chief with protection and power.
Bear Claw Necklace (Pawnee)
The artist used Spanish coins as models for the coats of arms woven into this basket in California, then New Spain.
Juana Basilia Sitmelelene, Presentation Basket (Chumash)
Coachella style has perpetuated stereotypes—but war bonnets have important cultural and spiritual significance.
Feathered war bonnet
Hide painting, a long tradition among Great Basin and Great Plains peoples, was adapted to appeal to tourists.
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