Two mysterious bighorn sheep effigies discovered in Prescott, Arizona in 1935 continue to spark questions about the Indigenous cultures who created them. Now cared for by the Museum of Indigenous People, these rare cultural resource materials invite visitors to explore ancient connections, ceremonial traditions, and the ongoing research that helps uncover the deep history of the Southwest.

Indigenous living culture displays at the Museum of Indigenous People in Prescott, Arizona, invite visitors to experience Native history as vibrant and evolving. Through traditional pottery, textiles, contemporary art, and community events guided by Native voices, the museum presents Indigenous culture as living and resilient. Each exhibit reflects authentic perspectives rooted in the Southwest, fostering understanding, respect, and connection.

Visitors to the Museum of Indigenous People in Prescott, Arizona often stop to take photos in front of the mural “We Are Still Here” by Dustin Lopez (Diné / Laguna Pueblo). The museum welcomes Indigenous and Native American visitors from across many Nations, with free admission for Native visitors, museum members, and children under 13. It is a place to connect with living Indigenous culture, history, and community.

Downtown Prescott recently welcomed the Road to 250 Arizona Traveling Museum and Liberty Bell Exhibit, bringing history to life through interactive displays and community engagement. The event opened with a land acknowledgment by Manuel Lucero of the Museum of Indigenous People, honoring the region’s deep Indigenous roots. As the first stop on a 15-county journey, Prescott set the tone for a statewide celebration of shared history and diverse voices.

Leon Grant (1925–2015) of the Omaha Tribe helped create a safe place for Native Americans arriving in Phoenix during the 1940s. In 1947 he helped establish the Phoenix Indian Center, the first nonprofit urban center of its kind in the United States. What began as a small meeting place became an important intertribal community hub where Indigenous people could find jobs, housing support, and connection while living away from their homelands.

The Museum of Indigenous People will host the Mata Ortiz Pottery Show & Sale on May 2–3, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Visitors can meet featured artists, watch live pottery demonstrations and firings, and purchase finely crafted works rooted in centuries-old traditions from northern Chihuahua, Mexico. Select freshly fired pieces will be auctioned, offering a rare opportunity to acquire one-of-a-kind contemporary pottery.

Severa Gutierrez-Tafoya of Santa Clara Pueblo was a master ceramic artist and matriarch of a renowned family of potters. Active for nearly 60 years, her work and firing techniques helped inspire the revival of polished blackware pottery. Though often overlooked during her lifetime, her artistry and influence continue through generations of Pueblo potters.

As we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we also remember a lesser-known chapter of his legacy — his solidarity with Native communities. In Why We Can’t Wait, King condemned the nation’s founding injustices toward Indigenous peoples, naming the genocide and racial hierarchy embedded in American history. His commitment to justice extended beyond the African-American struggle. In the late 1950s, when the Poarch Band of Creek Indians in Alabama faced discriminatory school policie

The new Museum of Indigenous People 2026 Calendar of Events is here, filled with opportunities to gather, learn, celebrate, and connect with Indigenous culture throughout the year. Whether you’re planning: A family outing A homeschool or classroom field trip A meaningful New Year’s Eve celebration A cultural weekend experience A holiday tradition Or something special to share with out-of-town guests Our calendar makes it easy to plan ahead.

Hopi artist and Army veteran Filmer “Fil” Kewanyama blends ancestral tradition with contemporary expression to promote healing and peace. Drawing from Hopi ceremony and symbolism, his art reflects identity, resilience, and spiritual balance. After overcoming PTSD, he now shares creative healing with fellow veterans, using storytelling and visual expression to build connection and understanding.