About the MIP
A Place for Understanding
Opened in 1935, the Museum of Indigenous People brings Indigenous knowledge, artistry, history, and contemporary experience into one place. Its historic stone buildings are contributing properties within the Prescott Armory Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Renamed in 2020 to better reflect its commitment to the Native communities it serves, MIP is guided by relationships built on trust and partnership throughout the Southwest and beyond. Indigenous voices are centered, stories are shared with integrity, and cultural knowledge is respected across generations, helping visitors develop a deeper understanding of Indigenous peoples and cultures.
Our Mission
To instill understanding and respect for the indigenous cultures of the Southwest
Our History
The Museum of Indigenous People, formerly known as the Smoki Museum, has a history connected to the non-Native civic organization to the "Smoki People" formed in Prescott in 1921. For nearly 70 years, its non-Native members created and performed fabricated versions of Native dances and ceremonies, including reenactments based on sacred Hopi ceremonial practices. These productions, performed by non-Natives, were not authentic Hopi ceremonies. Native criticism and protest existed throughout the organization’s history and became increasingly visible over time. In 1990, a delegation from the Hopi reservation observed the annual performance and protested the misrepresentation of their traditions. The presentation held on August 11, 1990, became the final Smoki ceremonial.
Construction of the Smoki Public Museum began in 1934 using the Civilian Works and Arizona Emergency Relief Administration. The "Pueblo Structure" was the brainchild of architect Chris Totten and Glen Dispain. It was built at the cost of $19,600. The stone museum building was completed by the Arizona Emergency Relief Administration and then dedicated on May 29, 1935, to house archaeological materials, artwork, photographs, and other cultural items assembled for study and public display.
The museum was incorporated as a nonprofit in 1991. In February 2020, the institution adopted the name Museum of Indigenous People to better represent the cultural materials in its care and the Native communities it serves. The name change marked an important step in MIP’s continuing decolonial transformation.
A Historic Campus
The 1935 museum and neighboring 1931 pueblo are contributing properties within the Prescott Armory Historic District, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. Their preservation allows MIP to interpret both the architecture and the complicated history that shaped the institution.
MIP Today
Today, MIP brings generations of Indigenous knowledge, artistry, and innovation into conversation through its collections, exhibitions, cultural presentations, and educational programs. The museum also works intentionally to employ Native people and build meaningful relationships with Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities. Native staff, advisors, artists, educators, and community partners help shape how cultural materials and contemporary experiences are interpreted and shared, keeping MIP’s mission connected to the people and cultures it represents.
Donations and Sponsorships are always welcome
The museum is always interested in creating partnerships, collaborations, and events that create a rich cultural and educational experience. All donations, sponsorships, and volunteers keep the programing going, allowing for all to enjoy, learn and walk away with some form of knowledge you can't get anywhere else in central Arizona.