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.

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.

The Museum of Indigenous People’s journey is one of reflection, accountability, and renewal. In a recent Flagstaff Business News feature, Executive Director Manuel Lucero discusses the museum’s evolution — from acknowledging its complex origins to strengthening partnerships with Native communities. The article highlights ongoing efforts to preserve Indigenous history while building a future centered on authenticity, education, and cultural integrity.

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.

Deep within the Grand Canyon lies Supai, the capital of the Havasupai Tribe. Because no roads reach the village, mail still arrives by mule along an eight-mile canyon trail. Known as Supai Mule Mail, this historic route—operated with the U.S. Postal Service since the 1930s—continues to deliver letters, packages, food, and medicine to one of the most remote communities in the United States.