Summer/Fall 2014

Nation to Nation: Treaties Between the United States and American Indian Nations

Treaties matter, not only to American Indians, but to everyone who lives in the United States. The United States acquired much of its land through treaties with Indian tribes. These negotiated, bilateral agreements are, therefore, fundamental to understanding how the United States was created, and how its citizens obtained the land and natural resources they enjoy today.

Summer/Fall 2014

The U. S. government often marked peace negotiations by presenting “peace medals” to tribal leaders. This fine example will be on display in the new exhibit Nation to Nation: Treaties Between the United States and American Indian Nations, from Sept. 21, 2014 to Fall 2018, Fourth Level, National Museum of the American Indian, on the National Mall, Washington, D.C.

Thomas Jefferson peace medal, 1801, owned by Powder Face (Northern Inunaina/Arapaho) Oklahoma. Bronze copper alloy, hide, porcupine quills, feathers, dye, metal cones. NMAI 24/1965.