For more than two decades visitors to the Festival of American Folklife have been treated to a rich cross section of American Indian cultures. In recontextualized settings on the Mall, members of many tribes have shared their repertoires of songs and dances; constructed their wigwams, tipis, and brush arbors; coiled, glazed and fired their pottery; woven their baskets, seamless yarn bags, and saddle blankets. Festival visitors do not see these traditions in their natural contexts—on distant reservations or in pueblo plazas. Admiring the skills and enjoying the presentations, we assume that they must be well and flourishing in their home ...