Mary Golda Ross (Cherokee, 1908–2008) was the first known Native American woman to work as an aerospace engineer. As a founding engineer of Lockheed’s secretive Skunk Works division, she contributed to early research on satellites and interplanetary flight paths to Mars and Venus. Her work helped shape the foundations of the U.S. space program and continues to inspire Native scientists today.

Baseball is often called America’s pastime, but the history of the game also includes the important contributions of Native American athletes. From Chiricahua Apache teams at Fort Sill to pioneers like Jim Thorpe and Louis Sockalexis, Indigenous players helped shape baseball at every level—from boarding school fields to Major League stadiums. Their stories reveal resilience, talent, and a legacy that deserves recognition as part of the broader history of the game.

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.

Pablo Abeita of Isleta Pueblo was an influential Indigenous leader, diplomat, and advocate for Pueblo land rights in the early 20th century. Fluent in several languages and respected for his wisdom, Abeita served on the All Indian Pueblo Council and helped guide efforts that led to the Pueblo Lands Act of 1924, a landmark law that confirmed Pueblo ownership of their traditional lands.

The Museum of Indigenous People in Prescott is part of a citywide accessibility program offering EnChroma glasses for visitors with color blindness. These special lenses help people distinguish colors more clearly, allowing them to experience Indigenous art, pottery, textiles, and exhibits with a new perspective. Learn how Prescott’s cultural institutions are working together to make museums more inclusive for everyone.

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.

The Contributions exhibit at the Museum of Indigenous People highlights the lasting impact of Indigenous contributions to governance, technology, philosophy, and civic life. From the consensus leadership of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy to innovations still used today, Indigenous contributions shaped early American democracy and continue to influence modern society in ways often overlooked. On view February 13–July 31, 2026, in Prescott, Arizona.

Pablo Abeita of Isleta Pueblo was an influential Indigenous leader, diplomat, and advocate for Pueblo land rights in the early 20th century. Fluent in several languages and respected for his wisdom, Abeita served on the All Indian Pueblo Council and helped guide efforts that led to the Pueblo Lands Act of 1924, a landmark law that confirmed Pueblo ownership of their traditional lands.

The roots of American democracy extend deeper than many textbooks acknowledge. The Haudenosaunee Confederacy’s Great Law of Peace and model of unity among sovereign nations influenced early colonial leaders and helped shape foundational principles of federal governance. Discover this story and more at CONTRIBUTIONS, an exhibit exploring the Indigenous ideas that continue to shape the modern world.

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.