The Mid-America All Indian Center was found in 1969 by Representatives from 11 tribes, with the museum opening its doors to visitors in 1976. Their goal was to establish a center that could educate the wider public about Native American history and culture along with helping to preserve Native culture.

Today, the interior of the museum is filled with Native artwork, ranging form ceremonial drums to colorful tapestries. Each artifact comes with its own story, with the desires of the artist beaming through the artwork itself.

One stunning art piece by Wendy Ponca used a ceremonial drum as its canvas. Ponca drew inspiration from Osage floral beadwork, that was in turn inspired by the plant life on the reservation - red buds, oaks, and maple trees                   

 “It was so wonderful because it was three drums in the studio – so powerful in themselves. You know when a kid walks in and has a tiny body but a big personality – that is how those drums were. They were not that big but they took up so much energy and space in the room,” explained Ponca.

Decorated drums at the museum

Additionally, there are Native stone and flint tools on display, some dating back thousands of years. These artifacts are a slice of the lives of the people who lived here long before us which brings history to life for visitors.

One notable artist, Blackbear Bosin, is featured prominently with many of his gorgeous paintings exhibited. Blackbear’s name may sound familiar to Kansans as he was the visionary behind the famous “Keeper of the Plains” monument which stands just a short walk away from the center. 

The center also hosts a variety of educational events for the public during the year, a list of which can be found here.

Throughout Northern Kansas and Nebraska, there were four separate bands of the Pawnee people; the Skiri, Chaui, Kitkahahki and Pitahawirata.

 In the late 1700s, the Kathakali band settled along the Republican River in North Central Kansas. There the remains of one of their villages was excavated by archeologists between the 1940s and 1960s before being preserved as a museum.

The Pawnee people lived in dome Earth lodges, which ranged between 25 and 60 feet in diameter. In the center of the lodge there would be a fire pit, which was usually three to four feet in diameter.

The floor of the former Earthen lodge

Centered on a depression formed by one of these Earthen lodges, the state historic site displays the history of the Pawnee people in the state. This village had nearly a population of a thousand at its peak before being abandoned around 1830 once timber resources declined and the land became unproductive.

Visitors to the Pawnee Indian State Historic Site can learn about Pawnee social structure and the governance of their villages. Artifacts such as pottery and a sacred bundle are proudly displayed along with the tools Pawnee people used to survive.

In addition, visitors can learn more about the history of the tribe post-European contact. Many different trade items, such as muskets, are featured in the museum. The museum details the fate of much of the tribe as white settlers took over much of their land. Before widespread white settlement, there were around 60,000 members of the tribe, however their numbers rapidly declined due to disease and war with settlers. By 1873, there numbers were reduced to around 2,400.

Today’s Pawnee Nation is a federally recognized tribe that is based in Oklahoma.

Haskell Indian Nations University was founded in 1884 with educational programs focused on teaching children agricultural skills. Gradually, the began adding more advanced coursework starting with a normal school to train teachers. Throughout the mid-20^th century, the school continued to grow with vocational courses and junior college courses being. In 1970 it became a Junior College and eventually became a four-year college in 1993.

Haskell has been a center of indigenous education for well over a century and its students represent tribes from across the United States. The museum and cultural center proudly display their history and the wide diversity of students that have walked the halls and pathways of the University.

Many of the exhibits focus on the athletic achievements of the university. A section is dedicated to the incredibly successful 1926 football team. One displays features two trophies from the 1926 relay team, one of the best in the nation. Wallace Little Finger, an Oglala Lakota from the Pine Ridge Reservation, is highlighted as one of the best runners on the team.

Additionally, there are tributes to the alumni of the university who went on to serve in the US military. In the center of the museum there is a flag commemorating the 415 Haskell students who served in World War I with a star representing every student. One memorial commemorates several students who served in the United States during the Vietnam War, and the large proportion of American Indians who served in the conflict relative to the rest of the population. One quarter of the eligible indigenous population served in the war, as opposed to one twelfth of the remaining population.

World War One service flag in the museum.

Other exhibits help educate visitors about the diversity of indigenous culture, showcasing the wide variety of traditions and beliefs that exist among the tribes. Today, stereotypes surrounding indigenous people remain present and many across native communities are working to promote their culture. One display features several pictures taken by native photographers featuring the indigenous people wearing their traditional clothing.

“There is a positive message in these photographs – that images can be manipulated in good ways, as well as bad. The eyes of the people in these portraits demand that we listen to their stories and learn from their experiences,” a passage states beneath a photograph.