Two productions express some of the great variety of this widespread North American observance which has roots in ancient Aztec culture.

La Ofrenda: Days of the Dead (1998, 50 min.) United States. Director: Lourdes Portillo. A lively and non-traditional look at the Days of the Dead evokes the often wryly humorous nature of Mexican and Mexican-American attitudes toward death.

Lhallchho/Our People(2003, 27 min.) Mexico. Director: Juan José García Ortiz (Zapotec) Produced by Ojo de Agua Comunicación. In Zapotec with English subtitles. A loving portrayal of daily life in the Zapotec village of Santiago Zoochila in the mountains of northern Oaxaca features the communal observation of the Day of the Dead.

Visit the Paawats Family Activity Room, which is part of the Listening to Our Ancestors exhibition. Paawats means "bird's nest" or "place where learning takes place" in the language of the Nuu-chah-nulth people. In this part of the gallery, you can handle fishing tools, practice weaving, play a matching game, learn a story, and try lots of other fun act ivities!

Visit the Welcome Desk the day of your visit for more information.

Bentwood Box (1985, 9 min.) U.S. Director: Sandra Osawa (Makah). The film explores the making of a traditional Northwest Coast-style box of steamed cedarwood, constructed by hand without using nails, screws, or glue.

Box of Daylight (1990, 9 min.) U.S. Director: Janet Fries. Produced for: The Sealaska Heritage Foundation. The Naa Kahidi Theater of southeastern Alaska presents the Tlingit story of how Raven brought daylight to the world.

Presented as part of NMAI's Listening to our Ancestors Cultural Festival, November 3 - 25.

All screenings are subject to change. For more information, please stop by the Welcome Desk the day of your visit.

(2005, 43 min.) U.S. Director: Chris Eyre (Cheyenne/Arapaho). Writers: Scott Garen and Joy Harjo (Mvskoke/Creek). Produced by Barry Clark and Scott Garen for the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian. Executive Producer: W. Richard West, Jr. (Southern Cheyenne).

An emotionally engaging film, A Thousand Roads is a fictional work that illustrates the complexity and vibrancy of contemporary Native life by following the lives of four Native people living in New York City, Alaska, New Mexico, and Peru. Free. No tickets required. For ages 12 and up.

Film schedule subject to change.

(2005, 13 min.) U.S. In September 2004, thousands of Native peoples from throughout the Western Hemisphere and non-Native supporters gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the National Museum of the American Indian. Welcome Home captures the spirit and energy of the historic Native Nations Procession and other celebratory events.

Film schedule subject to change.

Usual and Accustomed Places (2000, 48 min. Documentary) US. Producer/Director: Sandra Sunrising Osawa (Makah). Produced by: Upstream Productions. This account of the Pacific Northwest tribes' century-long struggle to uphold their fishing rights focuses on the history of the Makah Nation of Washington State.

Presented as part of NMAI's Listening to our Ancestors Cultural Festival, November 3 - 25.

All screenings are subject to change. For more information, please stop by the Welcome Desk the day of your visit.