The first known images of this infamous figure date back to between 750-850 AD. Though most commonly known as a spirit of music, Kokopelli (also spelled Kookopölö, Kokopele, Kokopeli, and many other ways) is also known as a trickster as well as a spirit of conception and childbirth. In some […]
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There are so many different exhibits, each one full of a variety of beautiful and unique artifacts from tribes across the country. Each Monday, we try to bring a piece of the museum to our followers on the internet. But we want YOUR input for how to improve it! Go […]
When picturing native crafts, most people imagine tiny colorful seed beads. However, many of the earliest beads looked like the ones pictured above. Alhough some of the beads were thin, many primitive beads were large. The unrefined nature of the tools available to early beaders made it more difficult to […]
Though the tribes of the Northwest Coast are often though of as great fishers of salmon, this plaque depicts a different species. The fish in the carving is a Rockfish, also called the Pacific Ocean Perch. Growing up to 40 pounds and having a slightly sweet taste, the Rockfish was […]
Knapping is the process of chipping and flaking stone to create an edged tool. This was used by native ancestors to make hide scrapers, arrowheads, spear points, cutting knives, and drill points. Because this skill was necessary for survival, the boys from the tribe would be taught from a young […]
The Anasazi were an ancient people from the Pueblos of the Four Corners area where the states of Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona come together. The name Anasazi comes from a Dine (Navajo) word meaning “ancient enemy”. The Hopi, their descendants, prefer the word Hisatsinom. It is believed that […]
One of the things we do here at the Frisco Native American Museum is celebrate the diversity of the tribes. One of the ways we accomplish this is through the themes of our exhibits. The photo above of our Footwear exhibit shows a variety of styles. The display includes […]
Pottery was a huge part of native living. Before pottery became available, cooking and water carrying was done with baskets. Baskets used for water carrying were woven with a high level of expertise. However, desert areas provided few plants to use for weaving material. The black, white and orange designs […]
In the harsh winter months of the north west, water sources freeze solid. Most of us would consider it impossible to fish in this harsh environment. The Intuit never let this “complication” hinder them. They still had to provide food for their families. The doll featured here shows an Inuit […]
A reminder that we will be closed on Christmas and begin our Off Season Schedule the week after! DECEMBER 22nd through 28th (Christmas Week) We will be closed for Christmas (Thursday the 25th), but otherwise be open our regular schedule 29th through 31st We will begin our Off Season Hours […]
This is a fantastic carving of a bear. The Zuni were, and still are, the most well known for their fetish carving. Wait…did we just say “fetish”? The word may not have the same conotations here as its contemporary use. In this context, the word fetish goes back to its […]
This delicate basket is from a California tribe named Karuk, meaning “upriver people”. The Karuk were the only tribe in California to grow tobacco plants. Traditional basket materials for the Karuk are willow, pine root, bear grass, maidenhair fern, and woodwardia. The four central ‘lightning’ lines utilize a quilled technique […]