The Smithsonian is a beneficiary of diplomatic gifts from foreign governments and the range and significance of the many gifts is explained by Anthropologist Deborah Hull-Walski.

19th century anthropologist James Mooney conducted outstanding research, especially among the Kiowa and Cherokee Indians with whom he lived, relates anthropologist JoAllyn Archambault.

Edward Nelson’s 1877-1881 Western Alaska Expedition was the beginning of the Smithsonian’s close collaboration with Arctic peoples to this day, as told by Curator William Fitzhugh.