Seven incredible places to learn about Native American culture

America’s Indigenous history dates back tens of thousands of years – with many of the stories and traditions we hear about today passed down through generations and preserved in their entirety over recent centuries. Across the states, First Nations storytelling presents an opportunity to open your mind to how people lived pre-colonisation and how they continue to thrive in the modern era. These are stories of not only cultural riches and knowledge of land – but also of survival…

Ancestors of the Yurok tribe are said to have lived on the coastal regions of California for over 10,000 years. There is evidence to show that the Yurok people have occupied these lands since at least the 1300s. Today, they are celebrated as California’s largest Native American tribe – made up of nearly 6,500 people. Hundreds of years on, the essence of Yurok life remains within fishing, canoe-making, natural medicine-yielding, healing, basket-weaving and, of course, storytelling.

 Taking in the wilds of Del Norte County, Redwood National Park and the Klamath River – Yurok land stretches from Trinidad in the south of the state to Crescent City in the north. Run by the Yurok community, Redwood Yurok Canoe Tours offers two or four-hour experiences that take place in uniquely-crafted hand-made redwood canoes – of which only about 10 exist. Each one is up to six metres long and bring a great sense of pride to the Yurok people because how of steeped it is in tradition. Led by a Yurok tribe member, tours showcase intricacies of Yurok culture, alongside the guides' unbeatable knowledge about the river and forest ecosystem that make up the surrounding territory.

A striking place to learn about native history, this First Nations Museum – opened in 2021 – shares the stories of Oklahoma’s 39 tribes through archaeological works and objects, art, film and good old-fashioned storytelling. Open year-round, the museum also invites long-term and pop-up exhibitions – allowing all 39 clans to share their unique histories. The long-serving OKLA HOMMA exhibition allows visitors to hear about the tribes’ ancestral origins, dating back thousands of years – while the museum's complex storytelling includes everything from the earliest ancestors to the lands and the tribes' love for warrior-battles to the misrepresentation their communities have endured in modern times. A one-of fee of $15 per person is payable on entry, with most exhibitions complimentary.

Between AD 850 and 1250, New Mexico’s ancient Puebloan communities would come together among the vast desert dunes of Chaco Canyon, to share their traditions and knowledge. Their descendants, the Chacoan people, were known for their incredibly complex and well-organised ways of life – from monumental architecture to far-reaching trade channels – and this incredible know-how is still evident in the structures seen at Chaco Culture National Historical Park today. Clans are said to have gathered in multi-story ‘Great Houses’, containing hundreds of rooms – that are thought to have taken decades, even centuries, to build – to hold ceremonies and celebrations. In fact, Chaco culture is thought to be at the core of several Navajo ways of life today.

Tourism is especially important to Chaco because it’s surrounded by one of the most productive gas and oil basins in the US. Increasing interest from fossil fuel companies to drill new wells in the area has the potential to destroy these sacred lands of present-day Navajo and Pueblo tribes. Therefore, a visit to Chaco Culture National Historical Park is more important than ever, as it shows the government that Indigenous land can still be lucrative for the state, without selling out to fossil fuel giants. Within the park, ranger-led, accessible tours share the history of archaeological discoveries. Alternatively, four backcountry hiking trails (Wijiji, South Mesa, Pueblo Alto, and Peñasco Blanco) will take you past some of the most significant cultural aspects of Chaco. The shortest, Wijiji Trail is a three-mile round-trip and well worth the time. Stop by the visitor’s centre to find out what’s open (weather-permitting). In 2013, Chaco received International Dark Sky designation, making it one of the most remarkable regions in the world to see the Milky Way in all its glory.

Visitors to the remote port town of Juneau in south-eastern Alaska, will be hard-pressed to miss the new Kootéeyaa Deiyí or Totem Pole Trail, along the downtown waterfront. The 30 poles – representing the clans and tribes of the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian artists from Juneau and villages across Southeast Alaska, who carved and painted the pieces – are said to resemble the monuments that dominated the shorelines of Alaska hundreds of years ago. Totem poles were used to warn visitors about whose territory they were entering, with each monument carved uniquely to 'fly the flag' of a local community. Hundreds of Juneau residents showed up to celebrate the raising of the first 12 poles early in 2023, each with a sign sharing the history of the respectful clan. The remaining 18 will be prepared for raising soon.

Home to an Indigenous site that dates back over 12,000 years, Ocmulgee offers a rare insight to the South Appalachian Mississippian settlements, including a six-metre high hillock or ‘spiral mound’ built by Indigenous tribes. The area, which is situated on the Ocmulgee River, was protected by Congress in 1934 due to its cultural significance. On site are six other mounds and a collection of over 2.5 million artifacts which have been unearthed by archaeologists. On 20^th October, the Muscogee Ceremony celebrates the Mvskoke people and culture – sharing dances, music and storytelling of a distinct ancient culture.

Visitors to Ocmulgee are invited to learn about the historic significance of these native lands, with permit fees going towards the on-going renovation of the park and its surroundings of the Ocmulgee River Corridor. The area includes a diverse ecological habitat, thought to be one of the last remaining wild areas in the south-eastern United States. Even outside of the park, tourist income is highly welcomed by communities, who use funds to look after the wellbeing of the people and land.

The art of Hula is known around the world as a form of entertainment, but in Hawai’i it’s a means of preserving and immortalising Native Hawaiian language, art and cultural practices. Native Hawaiian culture is the beating heart of PA’I Centre's community initiative to help visitors and non-Indigenous Hawai'ans learn about their ancient roots. Humble in its appearance, the PA’I Arts & Cultural Centre is a welcome alternative to the tourist-heavy, non-community run, so-called Polynesian cultural experiences that can be found in and around Honolulu. Visitors to the centre are welcome to browse locally-made handicraft stalls, listen in on workshops and music sessions or watch one of the cultural performances taking place. You might even catch a hosted evening by the renowned Pua Ali‘i ‘Ilima dance school. Pop in earlier in the day to ask about the current schedule.

Home to the ancient Puebloans from the 6^th to 12^th Centuries, Mesa Verde – translated as ‘green table’ in Spanish – remained empty for hundreds of years – until 1888, when two cowboys came across what looked like old residencies carved into the sandstone cliffs. With a little extra digging, over 600 ancient dwellings –chipped and sliced under rusty-red alcoves – were discovered, along with over 4,800 archaeological sites nestled into the mountains. These include vast petroglyph-filled rock formations, depicting people and animals of the time. Thanks to the wisdom of the Pueblo people, these dwellings had lasted hundreds of years. Unlike other First Nations communities, the Pueblo tribes weren’t driven away from their land by colonialist settlers. Instead, they left when the surrounding already-arid land became depleted of food sources – which historians say led to in-fighting between the villages.

Trips into Mesa Verde start with a ticket from the Far View Visitor Centre, which is open from mid-April to mid-October. From there, the Chapin Mesa Archaeological Museum showcases more detailed knowledge about Pueblo history and culture. The Cliff Palace Loop Road takes you through the more accessible areas of the park, where around 40 of the dwellings can be seen from the road. Some, but not all, are open to the public, so it’s worth taking binoculars for a long-distance view. The Mesa Top Loop road is for more adventurous travellers, who don’t mind a strenuous uphill walk to visit the dwellings. Hikes (in summer) and snowshoeing (in winter) is a great way to explore the extraordinary landscape – including to Park Point, where you can enjoy a 360-degree view over the surrounding Montezuma Valley.

Of course, Native American culture isn't confined to the places we've mentioned in this article. The entire US is steeped in deep Indigenous history with descendants willing to share their ancestral traditions with those who are interested. Wherever you visit in America, make sure to look into the First Nations people of that region – and you might just come across some fascinating insights and places to visit.

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