Rolling out wonders

Mobile exhibit introduces schoolchildren to Native American culture

Amobile museum of Native American tribes is rolling across New Mexico’s 33 counties. The “Wonders on Wheels” exhibit will visit public and tribal schools and libraries beginning in late March, WOW program director Jamie Brytowski said.

“It’s about the 24 tribes of New Mexico, talking about basic core values,” she said.

The exhibits focusing on food, arts, music and clothing are designed for children in kindergarten through the eighth grade.

“There’s a lot of touchables going on,” Brytowski said.

The content includes botany and the importance of plants, a dye chart, corn and yucca exhibits and videos of pueblo, Apache and Navajo children discussing their core values and the importance of elders.

“It’s very moving,” Brytowski said.

Visitors can also see dolls dressed in traditional clothing using traditional materials. They can pet deer, sheep and buffalo hide, make clay pinch pots and grind corn. A music station features drums and rattles. A map with magnetic stickers shows the location of each tribe.

The stations show youngsters the naturally dyed yarns that weave into Navajo rugs, as well as bows and arrows.

The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture Native American Tribes of New Mexico exhibition was produced by four pueblo, Apache and Navajo teachers. The exhibit is installed within a retrofitted 38-foot RV featuring 300 square feet of exhibit and interactive spaces.

Brytowski declined to cite specific arrival dates because of school security concerns. The WOW van will be traveling to Hobbs, Artesia and Gallup, with at least two stops in Albuquerque, among other areas.

COURTESY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS Visitors can play the drums at the “Wonders on Wheels” exhibit.

The “Wonders on Wheels” van travels across the state.

A selection of traditionally dressed Native American dolls hangs in the “Wonders on Wheels” exhibit.

A sampling of Native American baskets in the “Wonders on Wheels” exhibit.