“Let me stand next to yo’ fiah . . .” rocked the music that greeted me as I entered the welcome-film auditorium of the National Museum of the American Indian in D.C. on 8/30/2010.

One of our personal-guide hosts was Tanya Thrasher, a five-year-ago University of Richmond graduate who is a native of the Cherokee Tribe of Okalahoma. Tanya is a curator/writer/administrator for this museum that has the task of telling the story of native peoples of the entire hemisphere – including a special section on the Richmond region’s Pamunkey. (The museum’s second floor has an exhibit featuring Jimi Hendrix who was part Indian.)

I was a guest on this field trip conducted by the Virginia Indian Commemorative Commission whose job it is to commemorate the Virginia Indian on the grounds of the Virginia Capitol. Rather than review the museum, I’ll just say it’s great and that it broadened and enriched all of our thoughts on just how such a commemoration might happen here in Richmond.

Hint for when you visit: DO look at the big rocks on the grounds outside the museum building; and DON’T pick the tall corn.