A Journey Through Culture and History

Are you eager to expand your knowledge of Native American culture? From Minnesota to Kansas and beyond, we’ve compiled a list of must-see destinations to enrich yourself in Indigenous heritage across the Midwest.

Explore more than 2,000 acres of history at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site. This sprawling pre-Columbian settlement was home to thousands of Indigenous families in what is now Collinsville, Illinois. The Cahokia Mounds is deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a key cultural spot. While the museum is currently closed for renovations, the mounds offer plenty to discover.

A visit to Cahokia gives each visitor an astonishing view of these man-made structures–with “Monks Mound” being the largest of all. Follow its staircase to its 100-foot crest and survey the lands around you. Guided tours are available by request, and the grounds are open from sunup to sundown daily.

Found a perfect spot to read on your travels? Why not pair it with the perfect book? Support an independently owned bookstore when you shop at Birchbark Books & Native Arts. Located in a cozy downtown scene in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Birchbark is entirely Native owned. Owner and author Louise Erdich carefully selects every book on the shelves–most are specially ordered and feature Native American authors. The shop also features a generous collection of local Indigenous artwork, from baskets to beads.

Immerse yourself in Native American history at the Mid-America All-Indian Museum in Wichita, Kansas. Explore the life of one of the museum’s founders, Tsate Kongia, in the permanent exhibit “Walking in Two Worlds, the Life of Blackbeard Bosin.” His paintings and illustrations capture vivid, fluid figures amongst sprawling landscapes.

Exhibits at the Mid-America museum rotate throughout the year, displaying a vast collection of over 3,000 artifacts from watercolors to sculpture. The discoveries aren’t limited to just the museum, however. Breathtaking prairie flowers sprout just a few steps away at the Outdoor Learning Center. Medicinal plants grow there as well, including bee hives (and yes, you can purchase honey to take home with you in the gift shop). Before you head back inside, though, make sure to check out The Keeper Plaza–though it’ll be hard to miss. “The Keeper of the Plains,” a 44-foot-tall steel statue, stands proudly at the bank of the Arkansas River. An icon within the Wichita area, this image is sure to stay with you on your travels.

Founded by the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, the Red Cliff Fish Company in Bayfield County, Wisconsin, is a community powerhouse. The area actively pursues sustainability: fishing responsibly while honoring the past and thinking of the generations to come. Their Fish Market is open to the public Monday to Friday, with both frozen and fresh fish to choose from. Roe, trout, filets, smoked herring, fish dip, and more are available depending on the season. A nearby gift shop features Red Cliff Fish merchandise like hats and t-shirts, and art by local tribe members. Even if you just stop by to view the scenic waterway, this unique spot is a great way to experience Lake Superior’s breathtaking nature and rich cultural history.

Another towering and captivating sculpture, “Dignity of Earth and Sky” represents Lakota and Dakota history. With the Missouri River as its backdrop near Chamberlain, South Dakota, this incredible piece of art has captivated thousands since its creation in 2016. Its stance–a woman with a blanket draped around her shoulders and arms stretched toward the sky, is both powerful and elegant. Its construction is impressive, too, consisting of stainless steel down to the blue-toned patches on the quilt. Artist Dale Lamphere was the mastermind behind the project and made it easy to notice even at a distance, since it stands at 50 feet tall.