Mission Statement:

The mission of the Museum of the American Indian is to provide the people of Northern California with programs and exhibits that deepen understanding and appreciation of Native American cultures. The Museum promotes accuracy, sensitivity and respect for the heritage and history of our continent's earliest inhabitants.

The Museum engages diverse audiences in the exploration and preservation of the history, languages, art and traditions of Native Americans through the growth of its permanent collections, its exhibitions and the vitality and diversity of its educational programs.

The Museum involves the entire community by providing programs that are responsive to the interests of children and adults, including educators, collectors and schools.

History:

The Museum of the American Indian is a unique cultural treasure in the Bay Area. Situated on an actual site of a Miwok Village, the Museum is devoted to Native American culture and is the only one of its kind in the Bay Area. The Museum also serves as an educational center to over 4,000 elementary children each year. The Native American artifacts and reference materials are irreplaceable and provide a unique opportunity to learn about the local native life ways.

The Museum was founded in 1967 in response to the rapid development of Marin County. Construction activity in the county unearthed masses of archaeological objects related to the original inhabitants of the region, the Coast Miwok people. The Museum was originally designed to serve as a repository for these materials. Today, the museum still houses a large collection of Coast Miwok artifacts; however, the scope has broadened considerably and its programs and collections represent Native American cultures from across the entire continent. Artifacts on display include Navajo textiles, Eskimo carvings, Plains beadwork, birch bark baskets and Northwest coast masks. These artifacts are displayed in the various exhibits to help both adults and children understand and appreciate the diversity and beauty of Native American art and culture..