Intertribal Life Newspaper -

WASHINGTON, D.C.-The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian has received a $5.67 million gift from the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, a federally recognized tribe in Northern California. This gift is the largest to date dedicated to supporting the museum's national education initiative, Native Knowledge 360° (NK360°). These funds will allow the museum to underwrite, pilot and launch the first national, state and local model, which will produce content that can be easily integrated into education curricula throughout the nation. The model also includes professional development for educators.

"It cannot be overstated: Native history is American history," said Kevin Gover, director of the National Museum of the American Indian. "Native people need to be involved in the telling of the American story. Native Knowledge 360° is our museum's way of ensuring that Indigenous people are in that conversation. This generous gift from Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria makes it possible for the museum to work with Native scholars and knowledge-keepers to include Native narratives in educational materials at the national, state and local levels."

Native Knowledge 360° (NK360°) is a set of teaching resources that provides educators and students with new perspectives on Native American history and cultures. NK360° offers educational materials and teacher trainings that incorporate Native narratives, more comprehensive histories and accurate information to enlighten and inform teaching and learning about Native America. It challenges common assumptions about Native peoples-their cultures, their roles in United States and world history, and their contributions to the arts, sciences and literature. The initiative provides a view that includes not only the past but also the richness and vibrancy of Native peoples and cultures today.

"Understanding more about America's collective roots will help us succeed in the future," said Greg Sarris, chairman of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria. "We're excited to make this important gift to the National Museum of the American Indian to provide much-needed access to historically accurate Native history for generations to come. It's time to look at our past, present and future in the United States with transparency and truth."

The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria are descendants of Coast Miwok and Southern Pomo tribes. The Graton Rancheria community is a federation of Coast Miwok and Southern Pomo groups recognized as a tribe by the US Congress.

NMAI

The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria has donated nearly $6 million to the National Museum of the American Indian.

In 2000, President Bill Clinton signed into law legislation restoring federal recognition to the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria. The legislation also provided for the restoration of land.

The tribe, which has about 1,400 members, made headlines in September when it donated $15 million to the UCLA School of Law to advance the study and practice of Native American law, and also to provide scholarships to students interested in pursuing careers as tribal legal advocates. The gift was the largest contribution that a tribe has ever made to a law school and one of the biggest any tribe has made to a university. 

The National Museum of the American Indian fosters a richer shared human experience through a more informed understanding of Native peoples. The museum in Washington, D.C., is located on the National Mall. Learn more at AmericanIndian.si.edu.