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.

Around 1900, a young member of the Chemehuevi people was photographed holding a coyote, an animal deeply woven into Native American belief systems. The Chemehuevi, a Southern Paiute people of the Mojave Desert, survived for generations through mobility, deep ecological knowledge, and cultural resilience. Like the coyote itself, their story is one of adaptation and survival in challenging environments.

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.

Centuries before factories and patents, Indigenous engineers in Mesoamerica perfected rubber processing—creating waterproof textiles, ceremonial ballgame equipment, and resilient materials the modern world still relies on.

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.