VIDEO: National Library of Medicine's Native Voices Exhibit

By Rebecca Taranto

Capital News Service

BETHESDA - The Native Voices exhibit at the National Library of Medicine opened its doors to the public Thursday.

Included in the exhibit are a 20-foot-tall totem pole that is visible from Rockville Pike, a 10-foot-long voyaging canoe and a multimedia gallery. The exhibit honors American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian traditions in healing and wellness.

The totem pole was built over a period of six months by 27 sets of hands and traveled about 5,000 miles across country. A traditional dance celebration and ceremony welcomed its arrival Wednesday.