Honor Indigenous Wisdom
this past wednesday, a good friend and i journeyed together down to the
national mall to check out the National Museum of the American Indian.
it is impressive. just approaching and surveying the exterior alone,
one is moved by the beautiful, sculptural quality of the building; the
bright, rusty red, clay color of the brick enhances the feeling of
moving into a different space, one more connected to the land, and
distinct form the buildings and city surrounding it. surrounded by
rocks, plants, boulders and ducks swimming in an elaborate system of
ponds and waterfalls, i definitely felt like i was entering a space
conceived and framed by indigenous thought...thought of the
land...thought of the sacred.
inside, the atrium is majestic, and i had the feeling i was entering
the plaza of a southwestern pueblo, with the community members busily
taking care of their daily business. the museum is definitely
successful in conveying its dedication to preserving the history and
culture of indigenous wisdom throughout the americas, and the richness
of a world view and cosmology which honors the spiritual connection between humans and
the natural world. through art, artifacts, stories, history, and
various audio-visual experiences, one is literally overwhelmed with
volumes to learn and experience.
i will return more than once before my departure.
Bryan
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