Film Screening, Family Events Mark American Indian Heritage Month at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in New York

Headline Events Include Screening of “Edge of America” and Celebration Day of Diné Culture
October 26, 2015
News Release
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The National Museum of the American Indian’s George Gustav Heye Center will feature a special screening and a family day in honor of American Indian Heritage Month, which begins Nov. 1. The 2003 film Edge of America will be screened Saturday, Nov. 7, at 6 p.m. in the museum’s lower-level auditorium; a discussion follows with the director and members of the cast. In conjunction with the exhibition, “Glittering World: Navajo Jewelry of the Yazzie Family,” the center will also host its American Indian Heritage Month Celebration Saturday, Nov. 14, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a focus on Diné culture. Admission to all events is free.

Edge of America (105 min.) is screened as part of the museum’s “At the Movies 2015” series. The feature film takes place in New Mexico and follows a girls’ high school basketball team as they learn how to win. Led by their coach, the girls discover the values of passion, dedication and discipline as they climb from the bottom of their division to compete for the state title. A discussion follows with director Chris Eyre (Cheyenne/Arapaho) and actors Eddie Spears (Lakota) and Delanna Studi (Cherokee). Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. “At the Movies” is made possible with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

The celebration continues the following weekend during the museum’s American Indian Heritage Month event. The exhibition, “Glittering World: Navajo Jewelry of the Yazzie Family,” closes Jan. 10, 2016, and this family-friendly day celebrates the exhibition and the rich history of the Diné people. Demonstrations will include rug and basket weaving by well-known artists, as well as presentations that highlight Navajo pottery and jewelry making. Artist discussions will focus on the importance and significance of turquoise, coral and other gemstones to Diné culture. Artists include weavers Melissa Cody and Morris Muskett, fashion designer Virginia Ballenger and jewelry makers Taisheena Long and Sheena Long.

About the National Museum of the American Indian

The National Museum of the American Indian is committed to advancing knowledge and understanding of the Native cultures of the Western Hemisphere—past, present and future—through partnership with Native people and others. To learn more about the museum’s mission, visit AmericanIndian.si.edu. Follow the museum on Facebook (/NationalMuseumoftheAmericanIndian), Twitter (@AmerIndianNYC) and Instagram (@Smithsonian_NMAINY).

Join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #AIHMatNMAI.

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