This gorgeous volume draws from the vast archives of the National Museum of the American Indian and the voices of some of the most prominent Native American scholars, writers, activists and tribal leaders. More than 300 full-color illustrations depict the artistry and culture of our hemisphere’s diverse indigenous peoples. With its insightful, firsthand prose, the book is a reminder that the ancient philosophies and folkways are just as valuable and relevant in today’s world as they were generations ago. From the Trade Paperback edition. *Starred Review* This lavishly illustrated and informative volume coincides with the long-anticipated opening of the Smithsonian's new National Museum of the American Indian, and its comprehensive text is matched with a treasury of art and artifacts from the museum's extensive collection. The first section, "Our Universe," describes the diversity of Native American stories and ceremonies while underlining the profound beliefs shared by all tribes. "Our Peoples" covers historical events from the Native American point of view, including the coming of Columbus, the Revolutionary War, the drafting of treaties, and the establishment of the controversial Indian Schools, and shows how events were chronicled in Native American art, such as a Dakota buffalo robe depicting the measles epidemic of 1818-1819. In "Our Lives," various authors discuss how modern communication and transportation systems help to connect Indian peoples as never before. The volume concludes with a lively selection of modern interpretations of traditional art and stories, thus documenting the growing numbers of Native American artists, writers, and filmmakers. Prodigious in scope and intimate in detail, this book, like the museum it celebrates, is a landmark. Deborah Donovan Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved "It’s cause for celebration when a country known for doing wrong to its indigenous peoples does something right...objects of great beauty from the museum are mixed with historic prints and scenes from modern Indian culture. Most important, the book retells American history from the perspective of those who were here first." — TheWashington Post "This book is a tribute to the long overdue acknowledgment of our rightful place in the Western Hemisphere." — Winds of Change "A fascinating overview of Native American history and traditions...packed with stunning pictures..." — Bookpage "Prodigious in scope and intimate in detail, this book, like the museum it celebrates, is a landmark." — Booklist "An expressive, informative, and beautifully designed book...."—. Indian Country Today From the Trade Paperback edition. Geral McMaster (Plains Cree), formerly deputy assistant director for cultural resources for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, is curator of Canadian art at the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He is also the author of numerous books and articles. Clifford E. Trafzer, of Wyandot ancestry, is a multiple award-winning author. He is professor of history and director of American Indian Studies at the University of California, Riverside. From the Trade Paperback edition. Autographed