above: Panoramic view of Cliff Palace

For several hundred years one of the world’s finest complexes of archeological sites left by a powerful prehistoric culture lay hidden in the bony canyonlands of southwestern Colorado. Rumors circulated for decades of buildings hidden high in niches on soaring cliff faces among the region’s stone wonderlands. In 1888, cowboys Richard Wetherill and Charles Mason “rediscovered” Cliff Palace, Spruce Tree House and Square Tower House, bringing these architectural wonders to mankind’s awareness again.

In 1906, the area, which contains some 4,000 archeological sites, became the first of America’s national parks dedicated to preserving works of humanity, setting the stage for subsequent acts protecting archeological sites across the nation. Today, Mesa Verde National Park annually sees more than 500,000 visitors, who come to learn about the amazing people who lived here from approximately A.D. 600 to A.D. 1300 and to get to know the living descendants of these original inhabitants: the Pueblo peoples of New Mexico and Arizona and the local Ute peoples.

To honor this remarkable accomplishment, Mesa Verde National Park and the surrounding communities are in the midst of a yearlong centennial celebration. From May 26 through June 4, the park will host the Indian Arts and Culture Festival. On May 27 at 7 p.m., catch a concert at the Morefield Campground amphitheater with R. Carlos Nakai (tickets $20 adults, $10 kids age 10 and under). A juried Indian art market will run June 3-4 (closing at 4 p.m. on Sunday) at Morefield Campground. Far View Terrace will host a rug seminar and auction on June 3, and local and regional dancers will perform at Morefield.

From June 29 to July 2, Mesa Verde will mark its true centennial—it was founded on June 29, 1906. Throughout the celebration, Native artists will demonstrate traditional arts at locations around the park and present various dances. The centennial celebration will begin on June 29 at Morefield Campground with a barbecue at 5 p.m., followed by a tribal blessing, speakers from various tribes, and speeches from government officials. It will conclude with the world premier performance of “Mesa Verde Suite” composed by Sterling Proctor.

Throughout the summer, park rangers will also conduct guided walking tours to some sites that have never, or rarely, been open publicly: each morning from Memorial Day to Sept. 30 to Oak Tree House and each afternoon Memorial Day to Labor Day to Mug House. Sept. 1–30, the park will conduct guided daily, eight-hour horseback rides to Spring House. These outings all have fees involved and reservations are required (atwww.mesaverde2006.org).

The park abuts the Ute Mountain Ute reservation to the south, and the Utes’ land also shelters many significant historic sites and cliff dwellings. This summer, the tribe will also be conducting archeological and sightseeing tours—on foot, by wagon and on horseback—led by tribal members. For details, contact 800/847-5485 orwww.utemountainute.com/tribalpark.htm.

Additional activities through the remainder of 2006 will include a lecture series (in the park, and at the Anasazi Heritage Center in Dolores, the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center in Cortez and Fort Lewis College in Durango), photography workshops, an alumni reunion, and closing ceremonies on Dec. 9 (including night illumination of several ruins by lanterns and luminarias, musical entertainment and storytelling).

For additional details on these or other activities associated with the Mesa Verde National Park Centennial, call 970/529-4465 or visit www.mesaverde2006.org or www.mesaverdecountry.com

Elsewhere:

Set your compass for the Four Corners Indian Art Market, May 6–7, Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum, Blanding, UT. 435/678-2238

In lovely New England, visit the historic Dartmouth Pow-Wow, May 13, Hanover, NH. Also, Native arts and craft sales and demonstrations. 603/646-3792 or www.dartmouth.edu

History buffs should enjoy the Truman Presidency Symposium, May 19–20, Key West, FL, hosted by the Truman Little White House. Explore the federal Indian policies under President Truman. Speakers will include former U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Ada Deer (former BIA director), John Echohawk (director of the Native American Rights Fund) and Donald Fixico (Arizona State University). 312/255-3563 orwww.trumansymposium.com

Bon voyage to the First Peoples Festival, May 26–June 8 and June 21–25, Montréal. Round one will feature the event’s famed Native film festival with films from around the world, plus art exhibitions and literature readings. Part two includes the festival’s excellent arts and crafts fair focusing on the Native arts of Québec province, music, dance and storytelling. 514/278-4224 orwww.nativelynx.qc.ca

Catch the 2nd annual Native Treasures: Indian Arts Festival, May 27–28, Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, Santa Fe, NM. This is quickly becoming a significant event, featuring more than 100 artists showing by invitation only who range from well-known figures to emerging stars working in diverse media. Held outdoors on the charming Milner Plaza, it will include artist demonstrations, live music and delicious foods. Potter Robert Tenorio of Santo Domingo Pueblo will be honored at the event as the museum’s first “Living Treasure.” A portion of every sale benefits the museum. 505/476-1247 orwww.nativetreasuressantafe.org

The tribe gathers at Red Earth, June 2–4, Oklahoma City, for dancing, art and other activities. The popular event, launched in 1987, returns this year to the downtown Cox Convention Center, where you can enjoy a powwow with $75,000 in prize money, a large arts and crafts market, a special awards reception for prize-winning artists, and a parade (Saturday at 10 a.m.). Educational displays, live music and children’s activities round out the event. 405/427-5228 orwww.redearth.org

Jet south to the Nammy Awards, June 8, 8 p.m., at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, FL, where more than 30 awards will be handed out to the luminaries of the Native music realm, interspersed with 10 live performances. Hosting will be the comedic duo James & Ernie, with Buddy Big Mountain. Tickets ($50) are available at the box office, at Ticketmaster outlets, by phone or at www.ticketmaster.com. Event details atwww.nammys.com.

Don’t miss the 23rd annual Indian Fair, June 10–11, San Diego Museum of Man, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA. The event includes an art market with work by some 75 artists, an awards preview evening reception on June 9 with artists attending, live music from Irene Bedard (Inupiat/Cree), traditional dancers, storytellers and children’s activities. Admission is $5, which includes access to the museum’s exhibition halls. 619/239-2001 orwww.museumofman.org

Drop by the 9th annual Native Contemporary Arts Festival, June 18, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Yerba Buena Gardens, San Francisco, CA. Some 800 artists are expected from the West coast and across Turtle Island, as well as live music, dance and hands-on activities. Free. 415/820-3550 or www.ybae.org

The 12th annual Summer Festival, June 23–24 on the grounds of the traditional Mohawk community Kanatsiohareke, Fonda, NY, includes Iroquois social music and dance, assorted craft vendors, storytelling, basket-making demonstrations, cultural talks, homemade food, wagon rides and a silent auction. 518/673-5356 or www.mohawkcommunity.com

Spend a day at the 14th annual California Indian Basketweavers Gathering, June 23–25, hosted by the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, San Jacinto, CA. Weavers will demonstrate weaving techniques and sell finished works. Also, a showcase exhibition of outstanding contemporary basketry from around the state; a look at cooking acorn soup using baskets; and on Saturday a raffle followed by dancing and music. Admission is free. 530/668-1332 or www.ciba.org

Get to the Gathering of Great Lakes Nations, June 24, Jay County Fairgrounds, Portland, IN, for a celebration of regional Indian culture sponsored by the noteworthy nonprofit National Center for Great Lakes Native American Culture. Enjoy powwow drumming, singing and dancing, a pre-1840s living history encampment, artist demonstrations, sales of arts and crafts, storytelling and an auction. Grand entries at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Admission fee. 765/426-3022 or www.ncglnac.com

Join the festivities marking the Heard Museum West Grand Opening, June 24, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Surprise, AZ (30 minutes west of downtown Phoenix). The opening exhibition will be Stories: Native American Art and Culture in Arizona with more than 300 objects and artworks. During the opening, visitors can tour the galleries, classrooms and gift shop, and enjoy special dances, artist demonstrations and hands-on activities for kids. Free admission for grand opening. 602/252-8848 or www.heard.org

Go West! to the Native American Arts Festival, July 9–14, Idyllwild, CA. Hosted by the Idyllwild Arts Foundation, an educational institution, it includes seven hands-on workshops directed by Native artists: Cahuilla basketry, flutemaking, Navajo inlay jewelry, Hopi coiled basketry, Navajo weaving, glass beading and San Ildefonso pottery. Formal presentations, lectures and informal discussion round out the festival. Guests will include Dr. Patricia Crown, Michael Kabotie, Joe Baker, Eric Blinman, Gerald Clarke, James Luna, Joseph Sando, Ernest Silva, Patty Talahongva and Dora Tse Pe. 951/659-2171, ext. 2365, or www.idyllwildarts.org