Native American Indian reservations of communities - any that welcome visitors and volunteers over the summer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think we all fail as humans when we accuse people of being voyeurs, of cultural appropriation, etc. when they would like to know more about a culture but don't know how to express it the right way.

+1

Well said.

I think the OP is well intentioned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been to lots of reservations where they have very nice cultural resources for visitors. If you go and are respectful and spend money on native made jewelry, crafts and food, that will be helpful to the community. Here are some places I have been:

The Native Life Center outside Alaska
San Xavier Mission outside Tucson on the ztohono reservation, also Kitt Peak on that reservation
Kai restaurant on the Gila reservation outside Phoenix
Hulapei reservation by the Grand Canyon (actually haven’t been to this one, but did look into it)
Hopi Visitor Cenyet on the reservation (don’t think this is always open—used to be open more but visitors were rude so they shut it down a bit)
There’s also a lot to do on the Navajo reservation

There’s also of course great cultural resources ate the Smithsonian museum of Native American life. And if you’re interested in local history, Historic Saint Mary’s has some interesting exhibits on native life from the colonial period in that part of Maryland..

OP - thanks and I will add these to the list to research. I have found a bunch that welcome visitors and volunteers but have not heard of these places.

Yes agree it is important to be respectful and I would be likely to buy some art/ jewelry etc

Thanks for these very specific suggestions.

[Anonymous]

OP- have you been to The National Museum of the American Indian on the Mall in DC?

[Anonymous]

DH went to law school in the PNW and worked in a legal clinic on a reservation. So if you’re an attorney, maybe that is an option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we all fail as humans when we accuse people of being voyeurs, of cultural appropriation, etc. when they would like to know more about a culture but don't know how to express it the right way.

+1

Well said.

I think the OP is well intentioned.

Thank you. My spouse says and my father often said that I am always well intentioned. 😂

However, I am aware that people with good intentions can do a lot of harm if they are not careful and not deferential towards local customs, values and contexts.

I would only want to visit a reservation that is actively encouraging visitors and volunteers to come for their own reasons.

[Anonymous]

I would like to recommend this exhibit that I saw while it was in DC at the Smithsonian. Preston Singletary is a fantastic modern artist and this particular exhibit is very enlightening. It's about a myth that (along the way) includes a virgin birth. It's in Indianapolis right now but it adds dates when museums book it. I'd like to see it again so I keep checking.

https://www.prestonsingletary.com/work/detail/raven-and-the-box-of-daylight-solo-traveling-exhibition

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been to lots of reservations where they have very nice cultural resources for visitors. If you go and are respectful and spend money on native made jewelry, crafts and food, that will be helpful to the community. Here are some places I have been:

The Native Life Center outside Alaska
San Xavier Mission outside Tucson on the ztohono reservation, also Kitt Peak on that reservation
Kai restaurant on the Gila reservation outside Phoenix
Hulapei reservation by the Grand Canyon (actually haven’t been to this one, but did look into it)
Hopi Visitor Cenyet on the reservation (don’t think this is always open—used to be open more but visitors were rude so they shut it down a bit)
There’s also a lot to do on the Navajo reservation

There’s also of course great cultural resources ate the Smithsonian museum of Native American life. And if you’re interested in local history, Historic Saint Mary’s has some interesting exhibits on native life from the colonial period in that part of Maryland..

https://amizade.org/programs/navajo-nation/
https://www.roadscholar.org/find-an-adventure/6262/Volunteering-Navajo-Nation-Schools
https://www.sierraserviceproject.org/partner-communities/navajo-nation/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP- have you been to The National Museum of the American Indian on the Mall in DC?

Yes many times and that is my favorite Smithsonian museum. I absolutely love the vernacular architecture and spaciousness inside (although I know many don’t like it and find it a waste of space). I have enjoyed performances in central downstairs area.

Some of their exhibits have been so interesting. I like the stuff in their gift shop.

The food has gone downhill there though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would like to recommend this exhibit that I saw while it was in DC at the Smithsonian. Preston Singletary is a fantastic modern artist and this particular exhibit is very enlightening. It's about a myth that (along the way) includes a virgin birth. It's in Indianapolis right now but it adds dates when museums book it. I'd like to see it again so I keep checking.

https://www.prestonsingletary.com/work/detail/raven-and-the-box-of-daylight-solo-traveling-exhibition

Thanks I will check that out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH went to law school in the PNW and worked in a legal clinic on a reservation. So if you’re an attorney, maybe that is an option.

Not a lawyer but good at research so will keep that in mind. Thanks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Decades ago I went on a volunteering trip to the Rosebud reservation in South Dakota and it was an incredible experience.

Will add that to the list to check out more thoroughly - thank you

[Anonymous]

Earthwatch used to do some archeological digs on/around tribal lands out west. You might be able to find something like that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think it’s cringey. very few Americans (or anyone) really understand what a tribe is and what reservations are like. it can only help for people to learn more. obviously with the consent of the tribe!

OP what kind of skills do you have to offer?

DP.

I /we don’t really have any special skills to offer. But I’m also interested in recommendations about reservations not too far away where I could show the kids how Native American people live on them. Agree too few people have knowledge about the Native American today.

OP hi there. Here is a summary of what I have found and recs from others on this thread. This is just a spring board for further research.

Here are some reservations in the US that welcome visitors and volunteers:

* Rosebud Reservation, South Dakota
Volunteers can work on cultural, labor, and social projects with the Sicangu Oyate, or Sicangu Rosebud Sioux people. 


* Blackfeet Reservation, Montana
Volunteers can work on community assistance projects, such as renovating classrooms, planting gardens, and painting homes. Global Volunteers offers a program for volunteers, including meals, accommodations, and transportation. 


* Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Montana
Visitors are welcome to see the reservation's historical places and artifacts, including sacred sites, buffalo jumps, and tipi rings. Visitors should contact the tribal office to respect tribal customs. 


* Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota
Re-Member offers week-long service-learning trips to the reservation. Volunteers can work on projects such as building bunk beds, installing outhouses, and building wheelchair ramps. 


* Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
Volunteers can help welcome visitors, work on trail maintenance, or become a docent at the Jacob and Sarah Ebey House.


Responses on this thread 


1. The Klamath River Renewal Project could probably use some help.

2. I am Native. Just go live in a city with a high percentage of Natives. Like South Dakota, NM or Arizona. Many tribal employees are white: lawyers, doctors, teachers. One of my friends did Teach for America in a tiny reservatio

3. - The Native Life Center outside Alaska
- San Xavier Mission outside Tucson on the ztohono reservation, also Kitt Peak on that reservation
- Kai restaurant on the Gila reservation outside Phoenix
- Hulapei reservation by the Grand Canyon (actually haven’t been to this one, but did look into it)
- Hopi Visitor Cenyet on the reservation (don’t think this is always open—used to be open more but visitors were rude so they shut it down a bit)

Museums
- Smithsonian National museum of Native American
- Historic Saint Mary’s has some interesting exhibits on native life from the colonial period in that part of Maryland..

- Navajo reservation https://amizade.org/programs/navajo-nation/
https://www.roadscholar.org/find-an-adventure/6262/Volunteering-Navajo-Nation-Schools

4. Rosebud reservation in South Dakota

5. Traveling exhibit sometimes at the Native American Indian museum. Preston Singletary is a fantastic modern artist and this particular exhibit is very enlightening. It's about a myth that (along the way) includes a virgin birth. It's in Indianapolis right now but it adds dates when museums book it. https://www.prestonsingle...exhibition

6. Earthwatch used to do some archeological digs on/around tribal lands out west

[Anonymous]

You may be interested in these books.

This one is about the Great Lakes region where I live.

https://www.amazon.com/Masters-Empire-Indians-Making-America/dp/0809068001

This one is by a curator at the Smithsonian.

https://www.amazon.com/Everything-about-Indians-Indigenous-Americas/dp/0816656010/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=12B2YK4SL110J&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.BA_OZ2m61nmrx7Jeqemakg.TRcKX0Wv6BKdqCxBilrMgu7vZizXAKck6fxZhAjOgWk&dib_tag=se&keywords=paul+chaat+smith+everything+you+know+about+indians+is+wrong&qid=1734677231&sprefix=paul+chaa%2Caps%2C118&sr=8-1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You may be interested in these books.

This one is about the Great Lakes region where I live.

https://www.amazon.com/Masters-Empire-Indians-Making-America/dp/0809068001

This one is by a curator at the Smithsonian.

https://www.amazon.com/Everything-about-Indians-Indigenous-Americas/dp/0816656010/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=12B2YK4SL110J&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.BA_OZ2m61nmrx7Jeqemakg.TRcKX0Wv6BKdqCxBilrMgu7vZizXAKck6fxZhAjOgWk&dib_tag=se&keywords=paul+chaat+smith+everything+you+know+about+indians+is+wrong&qid=1734677231&sprefix=paul+chaa%2Caps%2C118&sr=8-1

OP - Thanks those book recs look promising …

Michael A. McDonnell
Masters of Empire: Great Lakes Indians and the Making of America

Paul Chaat Smith
Everything You Know about Indians Is Wrong (Indigenous Americas Series)