Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in New York Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Twenty years, more than 70 exhibitions and countless special events later, the National Museum of the American Indian’s George Gustav Heye Center in New York has much to celebrate. On Wednesday, Nov. 12, the museum will mark two decades in Lower Manhattan with a gala and awards ceremony honoring the accomplishments of four outstanding Native Americans. There will also be an exclusive preview of the upcoming exhibition, “Glittering World: Navajo Jewelry of the Yazzie Family,” which opens to the public Nov. 13.

“The National Museum of the American Indian in New York has had the distinct honor of accurately representing Native history and contemporary life for the past 20 years,” said Kevin Gover (Pawnee), director of the National Museum of the American Indian. “As we move toward the future, we celebrate what has been, but also what is to come. With this milestone gala, we wish to recognize individuals from the Native community whose exemplary efforts strengthen and further this rich heritage.”

The museum’s inaugural NMAI Awards are given to Native Americans who have excelled in their professional sectors and demonstrated exceptional commitment to Indian Country. The awards ceremony will be emceed by special guest and master of ceremonies, Chaske Spencer (Lakota), known for playing the role of Sam Uley in the Twilight movies. The awardees are:

• Jacoby Ellsbury (Navajo), New York Yankees center fielder—Sports Award

• Patricia Michaels (Taos Pueblo), fashion and textile designer, PM Waterlily LLC—Arts & Design Award

• Ambassador Keith M. Harper (Cherokee), U.S. representative to the U.N. Human Rights Council—Public Service Award

• Randall L. Willis (Oglala Lakota), managing director of technology, Accenture LLP (retired)—Business Award

The evening will also offer a preview of the exhibition, “Glittering World: Navajo Jewelry of the Yazzie Family,” which showcases more than 300 pieces of Navajo jewelry from nearly a half-century of one family’s unparalleled design and artistry. In addition, all guests will receive a signed full-color copy of curator and jewelry authority Lois Sherr Dubin’s 352-page book, Glittering World: Navajo Jewelry of the Yazzie Family.

Co-chairs for the 20th Anniversary Gala are Dubin, Valerie and Charles Diker, Margot and John Ernst, Benita and Stephen Potters, Valerie and Jack Rowe, Jane Safer, Ann Silverman and Leslie Wheelock.

Proceeds from the 20th Anniversary Gala will support education programs and the Education Endowment for the National Museum of the American Indian in New York. Gala tickets are available for purchase at the gala website or from the museum’s Advancement Office at (212) 514-3821. 

The National Museum of the American Indian’s George Gustav Heye Center is located at One Bowling Green in New York City, across from Battery Park. The museum is free and open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Thursdays until 8 p.m. Call (212) 514-3700 for general information and (212) 514-3888 for a recording about the museum’s public programs. By subway, the museum may be reached by the 1 to South Ferry, the 4 or 5 to Bowling Green or the R or W to Whitehall Street. The museum’s website is www.AmericanIndian.si.edu.

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