The Plains
Indians - the proud first residents of the Rocky Mountain West - still make
the region their home. In recent years, a new sense of vision and cultural awareness
has grown between whites and Native Americans. The region is home to sixteen
Indian nations.
Day 1 Minneapolis
Minneapolis provides an excellent staging area for a tour of American Indians.
In addition to the indigenous art and interpretive displays at the Minnesota
Museum of American Art, the University of Minnesota offers a series
of authentic and educational tours and courses featuring American Indian tribes
and culture in the Rocky Mountains, Great Plains, Great Lakes, American Southwest,
and Pacific Northwest.
Day 2/3 South Dakota
The are nine Sioux Indian tribal governments, six of which have reservations
in South Dakota. This is the land of Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, Red Cloud and
Black Elk. Authentic Indian beadwork, quillwork, fine arts and pottery can be
found at over a hundred museums and art galleries. Visitors can attend pow wows
and tour museums/art galleries such as the Akta Lakota Museum in Chamberlain,
the Red Cloud Heritage Center in Pine Ridge and the Tekakwitha ?Ah� Arts Center
in���>seton. Tipi stays and unique cultural experiences are also available.
The Pine Ridge Reservation is the site where the infamous
Wounded Knee Massacre took place.
Day 4/5 Montana
The Assiniboine, Sioux, Blackfeet, Chippewa, Cree, Confederated Salish &
Kootenai, Crow, Gros Ventre, Northern Cheyenne and Little Shell Indians
all reside in Montana. In early July, the Blackfeet
host the Northern American Indian Days in Browning. The eight-day Crow
Fair is hosted each August at the Crow Agency near Hardin. This event includes
rodeos, dances, parades, games, food and craft displays.
Day 6/7 Idaho
The Cataldo Mission, near Coeur d’Alene, was built between
1848 and 1853 by the Couer d’Alene Indians under the direction of
the Italian Jesuit missionary, Father Ravalli. It is the oldest standing building
in Idaho and is constructed of carefully woven straw, river mud and wooden pegs.
Today, 34 sites in the Nez Perce National Historic Park throughout Montana,
Wyoming and Idaho, bring alive the ten thousand-year-history of the Nez Perce
people. The visitor’s center contains a museum and an auditorium
with interpretive talks and films. FortHall is the home of both
the Shoshone and Bannock Native Americans who have peacefully
inhabited the same land in southern Idaho for thousands of years. The t Fbs
host the Sho-Ban Indian Festival each year during the second weekend
in August. The tribal museum and trading post are open to the public year round.
Day 8/9 Wyoming
Both the Shoshone and Arapaho tribes share the Wind River Indian
Reservation near Lander. Within the last two years, self-guided or step-on guide
service has been available through Pat’s Tours for historical and
cultural tours of the reservation. Guide and outfitting services are available
from Native American guides to explore the spectacular Wind River Mountain Range.
Fishing, camping and horseback riding are offered during an authentic Indian
cultural experience.
Day 10 Denver
The Denver Art Museum has what is often acknowledged as the world’s
greatest collection of American Indian art work, representing all of North America’s
tribes. There are many traders in the city who deal in Indian artwork, jewelry
and blankets. The Denver Pow Wow is held alery March.
