Americans

Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

Exploring a Cornerstone of American Identity

An interactive display of Native American representation in American culture

Project Overview

Americans highlights the ways in which American Indians have been part of the nation’s identity since before the country began. It surrounds visitors with images, delves into the three stories, and invites them to begin a conversation about why this phenomenon exists.

Pervasive, powerful, at times demeaning, the images, names, and stories reveal the deep connection between Americans and American Indians as well as how Indians have been embedded in unexpected ways in the history, pop culture, and identity of the United States.

Project Videos and Images

Americans website

  • Object detail view
  • A detailed gallery view of an 'Indian' motorcycle

American website mobile views

  • Highlighting a detail in a document
  • Video explorer of collection object

The touchscreen experience at the in-person exhibit

  • In-person exhibit at the Museum
  • Touchscreen experience at the in-person exhibit
A view of the gallery experience at the exhibit