Plains Indian Museum
Through its collections, exhibitions, and programs—shares information about the cultures, traditions and contemporary lives of Native peoples of the Great Plains. Our blog provides a glimpse into the topics we’re exploring.

The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act: What Was at Stake?
This is an introduction to a series of posts about the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and how the…

FAQ: Hair Pipes
Q: What are “hair pipes?” “Hair pipes” are actually long cylindrical beads made from conch shells or bone that were worn for…

Top 10 Visitor Questions to the Plains Indian Museum—Eye See Teeth
Q: What are the origins of elk teeth? Q: What are the origins of the shells (cowrie and dentalium)? Two elk teeth…

Top 10 Visitor Questions to the Plains Indian Museum—Beads Glorious Beads!
Our visitors ask great questions, and we strive to provide answers to some of the items that people find most intriguing or…
The Art in the Stone: Turquoise
This article was written by guest author Gene Waddell for the exhibition Adornment in the West: The American Indian as Artist. Gene…

34th Annual Plains Indian Museum Powwow
Powwows began over 400 years ago, started by Omaha and Ponca warrior societies. Powwows act as unifying events that overcome geographical isolation…