Explore timely stories featured in rotating galleries.
Native Truths: Our Voices, Our Stories
Experience stories told by Native people of self-determination, resilience, continuity, and the future.
Exhibition Summary
Included with General Admission
Opened May 20, 2022
All ages
Alert
Listen… and learn
Hear from Native American and Indigenous people as they tell their own stories—through words, music, dance, and art.
In Native Truths: Our Voices, Our Stories, you are invited to connect with diverse Native stories and the individuals who share them. Dive deeply into current issues, like threats to Native land and the rights of tribal nations to govern themselves. Celebrate the thriving, modern cultures of today’s Native communities.
On exhibit now—for a limited time only
The Creator's Game
Discover the Indigenous history of lacrosse, the Creator’s game. Stickball, or lacrosse, as you might know it, is much more than a game. It’s part of identity, spirit, and culture. And most importantly, it’s Native: a gift from the Creator.
The sport has a rich, diverse history. The exhibition shows an array of contemporary and traditional lacrosse sticks to reveal how lacrosse serves Native communities in a variety of ways. Learn more about its remarkable history and how the sport has survived for centuries.
Exhibition Highlights
Image slideshow
Gallery
An ancestor from one of Michigan’s Odawa communities made this quillwork box, ca. 1890-1910, for sale to tourists. Such baskets were, and still are, created for utilitarian use.
Karen Ann Hoffman, Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, created the Great Bear Hunt Mat (he/him). Made with velvet, glass beads, Czechoslovakian crystals, cotton thread, and calico, the mat tells the tale of the Great Bear Hunt as the artist knows it. Great Bear Hunt Mat was adopted from the artist and is living with the Field Museum.
This olla, or pot, was made by Max Early (Laguna Pueblo) to be a companion for a 125-year-old pot in the Field Museum’s collection, which was made by a 19th century potter known as Arroh-ah-och. Arroh-ah-och lived in the village where Max lives. Both vessels share a design element of approaching clouds and circular beaks.
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An ancestor from one of Michigan’s Odawa communities made this quillwork box, ca. 1890-1910, for sale to tourists. Such baskets were, and still are, created for utilitarian use.
(c) © Field Museum
Educational Resources
Showing results 1-18 of 18
Basket Making Demonstration with Lorene Sisquoc
Watch Lorene Sisquoc teaching and weaving a basket at the Field Museum opening of Native Truths: Our Voices, Our Stories.
VideoGrades PK-12Basket Making Discussion & Demo: Lorene Sisquoc and Kelly Church
Listen to and watch Lorene Sisquoc and Kelly Church discuss basket weaving and oral traditions.
VideoGrades PK-12Chef Jessica Pamonicutt Discusses Cooking and Fry Bread
Listen to and watch Chef Jessica discuss her career as a chef and fry bread.
VideoGrades PK-12Jason Wesaw Speaks About his Art
Listen to and watch Native Truths artist Jason Wesaw, a member of the Potawatomi Nation. His art practice spans many mediums including ceramics, textiles and works on paper.
VideoGrades PK-12Karen Ann Hoffman- Native People are Still Here
Listen to Karen talk about the impact the exhibit has on reminding everyone that Native people are still here.
VideoGrades PK-12Karen Ann Hoffman on Art
Listen to Karen talk about storytelling and stories.
VideoGrades PK-12Karen Ann Hoffman on Claiming Space
Listen to Karen talk about the importance and impact of Native work taking up space.
VideoGrades PK-12Karen Ann Hoffman on Stories
Listen to Karen talk about storytelling and stories.
VideoGrades PK-12Making Fry Bread with Chef Jessica Pamonicutt
Watch Chef Jessica share how she makes fry bread.
VideoGrades PK-12Native Truths: Come Alive By Nicole Emmons
Watch the unique animation created for and about the Field Museum's Native Truths: Our Voices, Our Stories exhibit by animator Nicole Emmons.
VideoGrades PK-12Native Truths Teacher Reference Guide
Educators encourage critical thinking into current issues and modern cultures of today’s Native communities with these helpful resources.
Lesson PlanGrades PK-12Our Voices, Our Stories
Listen to Native artists answer the question: Why is it important for us to tell our stories?
VideoGrades PK-12The Great Bear Hunt, narrated by Karen Ann Hoffman
Storyteller Karen Ann Hoffman, Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, tells the story of the Great Bear Hunt as she knows the tradition.
VideoGrades PK-12Why is it Important for Us to Tell Our Stories? - Brian Vallo
Listen to and watch collaborator artist Brian Vallo respond to the question: Why must we tell our own stories?
VideoGrades PK-12Why is it Important for Us to Tell Our Stories? - Debra Yepa-Peppan
Listen to Debra answer the question: Why is it important for us to tell our stories?
VideoGrades PK-12Why is it Important for us to Tell Our Stories? - Kelly Church
Listen to and watch artist Kelly Church respond to the question: Why must we tell our own stories?
VideoGrades PK-12Why is it so Important for Us to Tell Our Stories? - Karen Ann Hoffman
Listen to Karen answer the question: Why is it important for us to tell our stories?
VideoGrades PK-12Why Must We Tell Our Own Stories? - Ronnie Preston
Listen to and watch collaborator Ronnie Preston respond to the question: Why must we tell our own stories?
VideoGrades PK-12
Acknowledgments
Native Truths: Our Voices, Our Stories was created with the guidance of an advisory council of eleven Native American scholars and museum professionals, and in partnership with 130 collaborators representing over 105 Tribes. We seek to create a space for Native people from Chicago and across the United States and Canada to share their experiences in their own voices.
The Field Museum gratefully acknowledges the Sarowitz Family for lead support of Native Truths: Our Voices, Our Stories. Major support is offered by the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, the Efroymson-Hamid Family, Roger and Peter McCormick/Chauncey and Marion D. McCormick Foundation, and Mellon Foundation.
Additional support is provided by Carolyn S. Bucksbaum, Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust, Julie and Matthew K. Simon, and Cia and Tom Souleles.