The National Museum of the American Indian was established as part of the National Smithsonian in an effort to help support and understand the rich and varied American Indian culture of the Western hemisphere. Located in our nation’s capitol, the NMAI has taken great strides to preserve our American Indian past through their amazing collections, art, exhibitions, guest speakers/ artists/ dancers/ singers. Nearly all American Indian tribes are represented in the museum which makes it a fantastic resource concerning the ways of life, culture, language, literature, religion, art, tradition and beliefs of our American Indian past, present, and future.