How to Visit Mid-America All-Indian Center

The Mid-America All-Indian Center is more than a museumit is a living tribute to the resilience, artistry, and enduring cultural legacy of Native American communities across the Great Plains and beyond. Located in the heart of Wichita, Kansas, this nationally recognized institution serves as both an educational hub and a sacred space where history, tradition, and contemporary Native voices converge. For visitors seeking an authentic, respectful, and deeply enriching experience, understanding how to visit the Mid-America All-Indian Center is essential. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step roadmap to ensure your visit is not only logistically seamless but also culturally meaningful. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a student, a family traveler, or someone committed to Indigenous education, this tutorial will empower you to engage with the Center in a way that honors its mission and the communities it represents.

Visiting the Mid-America All-Indian Center is not merely about touring exhibitsits about participating in a dialogue between past and present, between cultures, and between visitors and the living traditions of Native peoples. The Centers collections, performances, and programs are curated with deep intentionality, and approaching your visit with preparation and awareness elevates the experience from passive observation to active cultural engagement. This guide breaks down every practical and philosophical element of planning your visit, from navigating hours and tickets to understanding protocols for respectful interaction with artifacts and staff. By following these guidelines, you contribute to the preservation of Native heritage and ensure your presence supports, rather than appropriates, the narratives being shared.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Research the Centers Mission and Focus Areas

Before making travel plans, take time to understand the philosophy behind the Mid-America All-Indian Center. Established in 1975, the Center was founded by Native American leaders and community members to create a space where Indigenous cultures could be preserved, celebrated, and taught on their own terms. Unlike traditional museums that often present Native history as static or confined to the past, the Mid-America All-Indian Center emphasizes living cultureshighlighting contemporary Native artists, storytellers, educators, and activists.

Visit the official website to review current exhibitions, upcoming events, and educational initiatives. Pay attention to themes such as tribal sovereignty, language revitalization, traditional crafts, and the impact of federal policies on Native communities. This background knowledge will help you contextualize what you see during your visit and deepen your appreciation for the exhibits. Understanding that the Center is run by and for Native peoples reinforces the importance of approaching the space with humility and openness.

Step 2: Plan Your Visit Around Operating Hours and Seasonal Schedules

The Mid-America All-Indian Center operates on a seasonal schedule, which means hours can vary significantly between summer and winter months. Typically, the Center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with extended hours during special events or cultural festivals. It is closed on Sundays, Mondays, and major holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day.

Always confirm current hours on the official website before your visit. Some exhibits or programs may have limited access during off-season months, and certain guided tours are only offered on weekends. If youre traveling from out of state, consider scheduling your visit on a Thursday or Friday to avoid weekend crowds and allow more time for in-depth exploration. Also, note that the Center occasionally closes for tribal ceremonies or community eventsthese closures are not advertised far in advance, so checking the website the day before your visit is a smart precaution.

Step 3: Purchase or Reserve Admission Tickets

Admission to the Mid-America All-Indian Center is by donation, but a suggested contribution of $10 for adults and $5 for children helps sustain operations and community programs. While walk-ins are welcome, reserving your spot in advance is highly recommended, especially during peak seasons (MaySeptember) or during major events like the annual Native American Festival.

To reserve, visit the Centers website and navigate to the Visit Us or Plan Your Trip section. There, youll find a simple online form where you can select your preferred date and time. Youll be asked to provide the number of visitors and contact information. You do not need to print a ticketyour reservation will be confirmed via email and checked in at the front desk upon arrival. This system helps the Center manage capacity and ensure a quality experience for all guests.

For groups of 10 or moreincluding school groups, tour operators, or community organizationsadvance notice of at least two weeks is required. Group visits can be customized to include guided tours, workshops, or Q&A sessions with Native educators. Contact the education coordinator through the websites inquiry form to arrange these experiences.

Step 4: Prepare for Your Arrival

When planning your trip to Wichita, consider transportation options. The Center is located at 100 E. 26th Street, Wichita, KS 67209, just south of the Arkansas River and easily accessible from I-35 and I-135. If youre driving, free parking is available on-site in a dedicated lot with accessible spaces. Public transit options are limited, so driving or rideshare services are the most reliable choices.

Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the Center spans multiple indoor galleries and an outdoor ceremonial area. The indoor climate is climate-controlled, but the outdoor spacefeaturing a traditional Native American garden and walking pathis not sheltered. Bring water, especially during warmer months, and consider a light jacket for cooler spring or fall days.

Do not bring large bags, food, or beverages into the exhibit halls. Lockers are available near the entrance for personal items. Cameras are permitted for personal use, but flash photography is prohibited near sensitive artifacts. Always ask before photographing people, especially during live demonstrations or performances.

Step 5: Navigate the Exhibits with Intention

Upon arrival, check in at the reception desk. Staff members are often Native community members themselves and are eager to share insights. They can point you to current exhibits, suggest highlights, and answer questions about cultural protocols.

The Centers permanent collection includes over 10,000 artifacts spanning more than 100 tribes from the Great Plains, Southwest, and Eastern Woodlands. Key areas to explore include:

• The Plains Indian Gallery Features traditional clothing, beadwork, and weaponry from the Kiowa, Comanche, Cheyenne, and Wichita nations.
• The Contemporary Native Artists Wing Showcases modern paintings, sculptures, and digital media by living Native creators.
• The Language and Storytelling Room Offers audio recordings of Native languages, oral histories, and interactive storytelling stations.
• The Sacred Space A quiet, non-public area used for ceremonies; respect signage and do not enter unless invited.

Take your time. Many exhibits include QR codes linking to video interviews with tribal elders, historians, and artists. Scan these codes with your smartphone to hear first-hand accounts. Avoid rushing through displayseach object tells a story of survival, adaptation, and identity.

Step 6: Participate in Educational Programs and Events

One of the most transformative aspects of visiting the Mid-America All-Indian Center is engaging with its dynamic programming. Weekly events include:

• Native Art Workshops Learn beadwork, pottery, or ribbon sewing from Native artisans.
• Dance and Music Performances Witness traditional powwow dances, flute music, and drumming circles.
• Speaker Series Hear from tribal leaders, scholars, and activists on topics like land rights, environmental justice, and cultural preservation.

Check the event calendar on the website before your visit. Many programs are free with admission, but some require separate registration. Dont hesitate to ask staff about upcoming events during your check-inthey can often add you to a waitlist or suggest alternative sessions if your preferred event is full.

Step 7: Respect Cultural Protocols and Etiquette

Visiting a Native cultural center requires a different mindset than visiting a conventional museum. The artifacts and spaces you encounter are not merely historical relicsthey are sacred, living elements of ongoing cultural practices.

Observe these key protocols:

• Do not touch artifacts, even if they appear to be behind glass. Some items are spiritually significant and should not be handled by outsiders.
• Never take photos of ceremonial objects or regalia unless explicitly permitted. Some items are considered sacred and may not be photographed under any circumstances.
• Use respectful language. Avoid terms like Indian, tribe, or primitive. Instead, refer to specific nations (e.g., Lakota, Choctaw) or use Native American, Indigenous, or First Nations as appropriate.
• If you are invited to participate in a ceremony or activity, accept with gratitude and follow instructions precisely. Never assume participation is optional if its presented as a communal offering.
• Be mindful of your voice and presence in quiet spaces. The Center is a place of reflection as much as education.

By honoring these protocols, you affirm the dignity of the cultures represented and ensure that future visitors can experience the Center with the same respect.

Step 8: Support the Center Beyond Your Visit

Your visit doesnt end when you leave the building. Supporting the Mid-America All-Indian Center long-term helps sustain its mission. Consider:

• Purchasing items from the gift shopeach purchase supports Native artists and artisans.
• Signing up for the monthly newsletter to stay informed about virtual events and community initiatives.
• Donating directly through the website to fund educational outreach, artifact preservation, or youth programs.
• Sharing your experience on social media with accurate, respectful language and tagging the Centers official accounts.

Advocacy matters. If youre an educator, incorporate the Centers resources into your curriculum. If youre a traveler, recommend it to others seeking authentic cultural experiences. The Center thrives on community engagementand your continued support is vital.

Best Practices

Practice Cultural Humility

Cultural humility is the foundation of a meaningful visit. It means recognizing that you are a guest in a space shaped by centuries of resilience and trauma. Approach every interaction with curiosity, not assumption. If you dont understand something, ask respectfully. If youre unsure whether an action is appropriate, pause and observe. Native cultures are not monolithiceach nation has its own traditions, beliefs, and protocols. Avoid generalizations like all Native people believe or Indians used to

Engage with Primary Sources

Look for exhibits and programs that center Native voices. The Center prioritizes storytelling by Indigenous people over outsider interpretations. When reading labels, listen to audio clips, and watch videos, pay attention to who is speaking. Are they tribal members? Elders? Artists? Scholars? Their perspectives are invaluable. Avoid relying on historical texts written by colonizers or non-Native anthropologiststhese often contain bias or inaccuracies.

Plan for Emotional Impact

Many visitors report being moved by exhibits that address historical trauma, including forced removals, boarding schools, and broken treaties. These stories are not presented for shock valuethey are essential truths that must be acknowledged to understand the present. Allow yourself to feel sadness, anger, or awe. These emotions are valid and part of the learning process. If you need a moment to reflect, the Centers quiet garden or prayer space is available for contemplation.

Bring an Open Mind

Dont expect to see stereotypical cowboys and Indians imagery. The Mid-America All-Indian Center challenges myths and misconceptions. You may encounter contemporary Native artists using mixed media, Native scientists discussing climate change, or youth-led language apps. These are not anomaliesthey are expressions of living, evolving cultures. Let go of preconceived notions and embrace the complexity of Native identity today.

Teach Others Through Your Actions

If youre visiting with children, friends, or a group, model respectful behavior. Explain why certain rules existnot as restrictions, but as acts of honor. For example, We dont touch these items because theyre part of someones family heritage. This kind of modeling teaches empathy and cultural awareness far more effectively than any lecture.

Support Native-Owned Businesses

Before or after your visit, seek out Native-owned restaurants, bookstores, or shops in Wichita. The Center often partners with local Indigenous entrepreneurs. Supporting them extends your impact beyond the museum walls and strengthens the broader Native economy.

Tools and Resources

Official Website: midamericaindiancenter.org

The Centers website is your primary resource for up-to-date information. It includes:

• Interactive exhibit maps
• Digital archives of historical photographs and oral histories
• Online booking for group visits and educational programs
• Downloadable educator guides aligned with state standards
• A virtual tour of select galleries

Bookmark the site and check it regularlynew exhibitions and events are added monthly.

Mobile App: Native Voices of the Plains

Download the free Native Voices of the Plains app (available on iOS and Android) to enhance your in-person visit. The app provides:

• Audio guides narrated by tribal historians
• AR features that overlay historical images onto current exhibits
• Language learning modules for Cheyenne, Kiowa, and Wichita dialects
• Interactive timelines of tribal resistance and resilience

The app requires no Wi-Fi to function once downloaded, making it ideal for use throughout the Center.

Recommended Reading

Deepen your understanding with these titles, many of which are available in the Centers gift shop:

• Our Hearts Fell to the Ground: Plains Indian Views of How the West Was Lost by Colin G. Calloway
• Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples by Linda Tuhiwai Smith
• The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee: Native America from 1890 to the Present by David Treuer
• An Indigenous Peoples History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz

Educational Partnerships

The Center collaborates with universities, including Wichita State University and Haskell Indian Nations University, to develop curriculum materials. Educators can request free lesson plans on topics such as:

• Traditional ecological knowledge
• Native American contributions to U.S. military history
• Language preservation in the digital age

These resources are aligned with Common Core and state social studies standards and include primary source analysis, discussion prompts, and project ideas.

Virtual Access

Cant visit in person? The Center offers a robust virtual experience:

• Live-streamed cultural performances
• Online lectures with Native scholars
• Virtual classroom visits for K12 schools
• 360-degree gallery tours

Visit the Virtual Center section of the website to explore these offerings. Theyre especially valuable for remote learners, homeschooling families, and international audiences.

Real Examples

Example 1: A Teachers Field Trip

Ms. Rivera, a 7th-grade social studies teacher from Topeka, brought her class to the Mid-America All-Indian Center as part of a unit on U.S. westward expansion. Before the trip, her students read excerpts from the 1887 Dawes Act and discussed its impact. At the Center, they participated in a guided workshop on beadwork, where a Kiowa artist explained how patterns conveyed family lineage and spiritual beliefs. One student, who had previously thought Native history ended with the Battle of Little Bighorn, later wrote: I didnt realize Native people were still here, creating art, teaching language, and fighting for their land. This changed everything.

Example 2: A Family Visit

The Johnson family from Omaha traveled to Wichita for a weekend getaway. Their 10-year-old daughter, Maya, had been learning about Native cultures in school and asked to visit the Center. The family reserved a two-hour guided tour focused on storytelling traditions. They listened to a Comanche elder recount a creation story in his native tongue, then watched a short film about a Native-led water protection movement in the Dakotas. Afterward, they purchased handmade cornhusk dolls from the gift shopeach one made by a Lakota grandmother. Maya kept the doll on her bed and told her classmates about it for weeks.

Example 3: A Researchers Collaboration

Dr. Alan Mitchell, a professor of anthropology at the University of Oklahoma, partnered with the Center to digitize a collection of 1930s ethnographic recordings of Wichita language speakers. Rather than treating the materials as academic property, Dr. Mitchell worked with the Wichita Tribes cultural committee to determine how the recordings should be archived, accessed, and shared. The resulting digital archive is now available to tribal members and studentsonly with tribal approval. This project exemplifies ethical research: centering Indigenous authority, consent, and stewardship.

Example 4: A Veterans Healing Journey

After returning from active duty, U.S. Army veteran Marcus Redfeather sought solace at the Center. He attended a drum circle for Native veterans and found community with others who understood the weight of service and the pain of cultural dislocation. He later volunteered as a tour guide, sharing his own story of reconnecting with his Seminole roots. The Center didnt just show me my history, he said. It gave me back my voice.

FAQs

Is the Mid-America All-Indian Center open year-round?

Yes, the Center is open seasonally, typically from March through December. Hours are reduced during winter months (JanuaryFebruary), and the Center may close for tribal ceremonies. Always check the official website for the most current schedule.

Do I need to pay to enter?

Admission is by donation. A suggested contribution of $10 for adults and $5 for children helps support the Centers operations. No one is turned away for inability to pay.

Are guided tours available?

Yes, guided tours are offered daily at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Group tours (10+ people) require advance reservation. Self-guided visits are also welcome.

Can I bring my children?

Absolutely. The Center offers family-friendly exhibits, interactive learning stations, and youth workshops. Strollers are permitted, and high chairs are available in the education center.

Is the Center wheelchair accessible?

Yes. All galleries, restrooms, and entrances are fully accessible. Wheelchairs are available upon request at the front desk.

Can I take photos inside?

Photography for personal use is allowed in most areas, but flash and tripods are prohibited. Some exhibits may have No Photography signs due to cultural sensitivity. Always respect posted guidelines.

What if I want to donate an artifact?

The Center accepts donations only through its Collections Committee, which reviews all offers based on cultural relevance, provenance, and preservation needs. Contact the curator via the website for more information. Do not bring items without prior approval.

Are there food options nearby?

There are no food services inside the Center, but several Native-owned restaurants and cafes are within walking distance, including Red Earth Kitchen and Wichita Tribal Caf.

Can I volunteer at the Center?

Yes. Volunteers assist with events, education programs, and administrative tasks. Applications are accepted through the website. Priority is given to Native applicants and those with cultural competency training.

How does the Center ensure cultural accuracy?

Every exhibit, program, and publication is reviewed by a council of tribal representatives from over 30 nations. The Center operates under a model of shared stewardship, where Native voices have final authority over interpretation.

Conclusion

Visiting the Mid-America All-Indian Center is not a routine outingit is a profound encounter with living cultures that have survived colonization, displacement, and erasure. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you ensure your visit is not only well-planned but deeply respectful. You become part of a larger movement: one that centers Indigenous voices, supports cultural continuity, and challenges the myths that have long distorted Native history.

The artifacts on display, the songs you hear, the stories youre toldthey are not relics of the past. They are threads in an unbroken tapestry of resilience. When you walk through the doors of the Center, you are not just a visitor. You are a witness. You are a learner. And if you carry what youve experienced beyond the buildinginto your classroom, your community, your conversationsyou become a steward of truth.

Plan your visit with intention. Listen with humility. Learn with curiosity. And leave with a commitment to honornot just the past, but the living, breathing, thriving Native nations who continue to shape Americas future.