"On Sept. 22, virtually every daily newspaper in the United States ran a photo or a story about the previous day's opening of the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington.

As I read about the opening events, procession and celebrations, I realized that for the first time in my 40-plus years I've seen Indian people being featured prominently in the news not in relation to substance abuse, poverty or crime, but rather as vital members of this country.

As an Indian woman, this fact alone makes this a day for me to celebrate."

Get the Story:
Mary Annette Pember: An overdue honor (The Grand Forks Herald 9/26)

Relevant Links:
National Museum of the American Indian - http://www.nmai.si.edu

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