Missouri offers a rich array of educational resources for learning about Native American heritage, history, and contemporary culture. Here are eight highly recommended resources for educators, students, and anyone interested in deepening their understanding of Native American experiences in Missouri.
1. Missouri’s American Indian Cultural Center (Annie & Abel Van Meter State Park)
Location: Miami, MO
Features: Exhibits on the nine tribes that once called Missouri home, including Otoe-Missouria, Osage, Delaware, Ioway, Ilini-Peoria, Kanza, Kickapoo, Sac and Fox, and Shawnee. Offers audio guides, historical displays, and educational programs for groups and classes.
2. Missouri Humanities – Native Americans and Missouri
Description: Provides digital programs, educational partnerships, interpretive maps (including the Trail of Tears Mapping Project), and public events highlighting Native stories and voices. The Alliance for Native Programs and Initiatives (ANPI) is a key partner.
3. History Museum on the Square – Native Crossroads at the Spring
Location: Springfield, MO
Features: Interactive exhibits on the Osage, Kickapoo, and Delaware tribes, artifacts, a life-size tipi, and educational programs exploring the Native American experience in the Ozarks.
4. Museum of Anthropology, University of Missouri
Description: Houses extensive collections of prehistoric and historic Native American artifacts from Missouri, supports tribal partnerships, and offers public educational programs and resources for supporting Native American communities.
5. State Historical Society of Missouri
Description: Offers a wide variety of resources for researching Native American history in Missouri, including archives, genealogy tools, and access to federal records such as the Dawes Rolls. Open to researchers, educators, and the public.
6. National Museum of the American Indian – Native Knowledge 360°
Description: Provides comprehensive, culturally accurate teaching resources, virtual field trips, and lesson plans suitable for Missouri classrooms. Topics include the Trail of Tears, treaties, and Indigenous innovations.
7. Otoe-Missouria Tribe – Education Programs
Description: The Otoe-Missouria Tribe, historically based in Missouri, offers educational support and resources for tribal members and shares information about their heritage and history.
8. American Indian College Fund – Educational Resource List
Description: Compiles books, lesson plans, and multimedia resources to enhance awareness of Native American history and modern experiences. Useful for educators seeking classroom materials and reading lists.
Additional Noteworthy Resources
Alliance for Native Programs and Initiatives (ANPI): Collaborative network supporting Native heritage education statewide.
Missouri Native American/Indigenous Studies (University of Missouri): Student organizations and academic programs focused on Indigenous issues and advocacy.
These resources provide a strong foundation for exploring and teaching Native American heritage in Missouri, from local tribal histories to broader national perspectives.
Sources:
- https://mostateparks.com/location/55530/missouris-american-indian-cultural-center
- https://www.nps.gov/places/van-meter-state-park.htm
- https://mostateparks.com/page/55158/nature-and-native-americans
- https://mohumanities.org/native-american/