The Field Museum Public Relations Department
312.665.7100
media@fieldmuseum.org
Native Americans at The Field Museum
A Comprehensive Exhibition; An Inside Look
Complementing the Ancient Americas exhibition, the Hall of Native North
Americans continues the story of the people who first lived on this continent. The Native
American exhibition features artifacts from major tribes across North America. These
thousands of objects tell stories of the daily lives and religion of Native Peoples, and
reflect the importance of understanding the indigenous culture of North America.
The minute they walk into The Field Museum’s main hall, visitors are introduced
to the Native American collection by two enormous red cedar totem poles from British
Columbia. Ornately carved with figures of grizzly bears, birds, and killer whales, the
poles stand over 20 feet tall. The figures represent specific families, similar to the crests
of European noble families. The totem poles stood outside or attached to homes as
indicators of the inhabitants.
Passing the totem poles, visitors enter the Hall of Native North Americans, where
hundreds of artifacts demonstrate the diverse lifestyles of indigenous Americans. Every
aspect of life is covered, from food storage and clothing to war and spirituality. A number
of displays even feature recreational games, including a set of colorful, early playing
cards from Mexico.
The highlight of the Native North American exhibition is the Pawnee Earth
Lodge. Recreated to exact specifications, the Earth Lodge allows visitors to enter the
living space of the Pawnee Native American Tribe of Oklahoma. Wood frame beds, a fire
pit, and animal hides create a sense of homely comfort as Museum docents tell stories
and reveal interesting facts about the Pawnee Nation. Above the Earth Lodge is an
illuminated night sky, and visitors can learn which celestial bodies were important to the
Pawnee.
The Native American Collection at The Field continues in the Alsdorf Hall of
Northwest Coast and Arctic Peoples. The Northwest Coast section showcases the
incredible artistic talents of native people in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia.
-more-
Not only are artworks such as totem poles and baskets on display but accompanying
videos describe how these pieces are made today, using traditional methods. The
Northwest Coast exhibition also boasts an incredible array of spiritual artifacts including
a number of ritual masks and even a full scale recreation of a tribal initiation ceremony.
The Arctic side of the Alsdorf Hall focuses on how Inuit people survive the harsh
cold of the far north. Visitors can peek into a recreation of a semi-subterranean home,
built partially into the earth to provide insulated shelter from the wind and frigid
temperatures. Videos follow an Inuit tribe as they live, hunt, and eat throughout the year.
Complementing the stunning imagery are forms of Inuit transportation, including a
toboggan and seal-skin kayak, either of which could be used depending on the time of
year.
The Native American collection at The Field Museum is a comprehensive look
into the lives of the indigenous peoples of North America. From buffalo hunting to rug
weaving and spiritual dances, visitors can get an inside look into the ways of life which
dominated this land years before the first European settlers arrived.
###