Americans, an exhibit at the National Museum of the American Indian

"Americans" is a powerful exhibit at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C. that looks at how images of American Indians and stereotypes of Native people permeate American culture. Featuring nearly 350 images and objects, "Americans" considers the multitude of images that surround us and depict imaginary ideas of what Native people look like and how they act. These pictures deserve careful inspection and present an opportunity to consider why these stereotypes became marketing devices and how they influence popular understandings of Native people. In addition, four major themes are explored in the exhibit -- the Invention of Thanksgiving, the Life of Pocahontas, the Trail of Tears, and the Battle of Little Bighorn.