As the mohawk have counseled us, it is hard to see the future with tears in your eyes. We have survived. And from a cultural standpoint have even triumphed against great odds. We are here right now, 40 million Indigenous People throughout the americas and hundreds of cultural, distinct cultural communities and we will insist that we remain a part of the cultural future of the americas. In the different journey through history together that the el quens of chief joseph commands and that the National Museum of the American Indian so powerfully demands, i offer in conclusion and with this hope these words in cheyenne. [ speaking Foreign Language ] in english, walks beside you, walks beside your work and touches all the good that you attend. Thank you. And more than 15 years since that opening day in september of 2004, were live now from the National Museum of the American Indian. Were joined in the exhibit space there by Museum Director kevin gover. Explain first the exhibit youre sitting
The house will be in order. The prayer will be offered by our chaplain. Let us pray. God, our father, we give you thanks for giving us another day. Bless the members of the peoples house as they gather another week in the capital and the graces needed to attend to the issues of the day with wisdom. The results of their effort might benefit citizens of our nation and the world. We also ask your blessing leading into this weekend, upon a world both celebrating sport with the womens world cup competition, and facing heightened, even dangerous tensions in the middle east. Spirit best of the human be manifest in all the actions undertaken by those in positions of responsibility. Be for yourdone greater honor and glory. The speaker the chair has examined the journal of the last days proceedings and announces to the house his pproval thereof. Pursuant to clause 1 of rule 1, the journal stands approved. The pledge of allegiance will be led by the gentleman from New Hampshire, mr. Pappas. Mr. P
The National Museum opened it past september on the National Mall. A few days earl American History tv spoke with key members of the design team, responsible for the look and feel of the newest museum. Well hear what inspired the distinctive shape and about the ideas behind the history galleries. In about 20 minutes, well show the opening ceremony, including talks about president obama and george w. Bush, and performances be denise graves and stevie wonder. Hi, im the lead designer of the National Meal seem of africanAmerican Museum of culture. We well see when you come to the building. What feeling did you have this feeling would quan . I hope it would give a sense of uplift, but also being connected to this very unique location on the washington mall, on the nations capital, one which should give you a sense of intrigue, one to explore the extraordinary exhibits that are on show here, one that would give you a fantastic overview. At the top of this building you have this fantastic pa
AfricanAmerican Museum. I was one of the arcing tekts. What feeling did you hope this museum would cain . I hope it would give a sense of uplift and being connected to this very unique location on the washington mat on the Nations Capital but one which would also give you a sense of intrigue, to explore the extraordinary exhibits here. You have this fantastic window on washington to see right through you have an International Background. Can you tell us a little bit about that and how that informed your work on this very American Museum . I was born on the heart of the continent. As a teenager i grew up in london and started my practice about 20 years ago. My practice has always had an international outlook. We worked all over the years. The Nobel Peace Center in oslo is one of our proejsz, almost local community projects. Schools and educational environments. Even competition libraries, ex, housing in new york. But when we were asked to join this competition, it was an extraordinary m
You go to a Department Store and as a young person youre not afraid to ask questions of your parents. I would say, why is there a colored restroom, why is there a white restroom . Why do signs there for, and water fountains and white water fountains . I was told that that was the way his. I said, why . Arts we all people arent we all people . I did not go to school with any africanamerican or other ethnic groups. That has greatly changed. Much to my delight. I went to undergraduate school at clemson university. I went there for Architecture School and they were one of the first to admit an thecanamerican into african and Architecture School. It has been a wonderful experience for me personally to see the change that is happened. I first worked with the native american community, we did a Cultural Resource center for the smithsonian. Over 12 years, you learn a lot. You learn a lot about the culture that is different than yours. Hoping that will be the case when people come to this museu