Randall Melton, collection curator at Tamástslikt Cultural Institute, will be giving a fascinating Museum After Hours presentation on Thursday, July 26.

Melton will share some images and objects from the upcoming Tamástslikt exhibit “Beautiful Games: American Indian Sport and Art,” and discuss the importance of sports in the tribal community. Sports have long been an important part of life in American Indian tribal communities. Lacrosse and surfing are attributed to indigenous peoples. 

In modern times, Native athletes quickly gravitated to sports like baseball, basketball, football and rodeo, and many American Indians have excelled in modern sports. Competing in sports in tribal communities teaches cooperation, consensus, compromise and teamwork, all of which are pillars of indigenous societies. The exhibit, “Beautiful Games: American Indian Sport and Art,” features artwork, artifacts, history and discussions about sports and its role in tribal life. Some of the highlights from the exhibit include three medals and two Letterman certificates that were presented to Native American athlete and gold medalist Jim Thorpe between 1908 and 1912.

Museum After Hours is a free monthly lecture series that is open to the public. The presentation will begin at 5 pm in the museum's Entrance Building.