Exhibition

Native Voices: Native Peoples’ Concepts of Health and Illness explores the interconnectedness of wellness, illness, and cultural life for Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. Visitors will discover how Native concepts of health and illness are closely tied to the concepts of community, spirit, and the land.

Healing Ways

Uncover how diverse lifestyles and shared experiences have helped sustain the health and well-being of Native populations for generations.

Hōkūle‘a

Native Hawaiians owe their existence to the Hōkūle‘a voyaging canoe. Its resurgence in the last century has led to a cultural revival, inspiring Native Hawaiians of all ages to learn more about, and to value, their traditions.

Healing Totem

The National Library of Medicine’s healing totem was created by master carver Jewell James, of the Lummi Nation in the Pacific Northwest, to promote good health. The stories depicted on the totem highlight the meaning and interconnectedness of life and the environment, and the collective knowledge of all races of humanity.

Art Gallery

The arts have always served a special and significant function in the health and well-being of Native peoples. This gallery reflects the range of artistic styles, subjects, and the diversity of healing practices among different Native groups.