National Native American Veterans Memorial

Design Competition

BRIEF

This competitions is to the design competition for the National Native American Veterans Memorial—the first to recognize the exceptional military service of Native Americans. These servicemen and women are some of the most honored members of their tribes and communities. Across the nation, Native Americans who protect our country and our way of life are recognized publicly as the greatest patriots of all.

Despite this enduring and distinguished legacy spanning two and a half centuries of American history, no national memorial yet exists—Native veterans and those serving today remain unrecognized by any landmark.

The National Native American Veterans Memorial

Taking up the charge given by Congress, the NMAI will establish a National Native American Veterans Memorial to “give all Americans the opportunity to learn of the proud and courageous tradition of service of NativeAmericans in the Armed Forces of the United States.” The tribute to Nativeheroes will be located prominently on the grounds of the NMAI on the National Mall, between the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum and the U.S. Capitol. When the memorial is constructed, the legacy of the enduring and distinguished service of Native American

veterans in every branch of the U.S. military will receive the national recognition it deserves.

SCHEDULE

November 11, 2017 Registration Opens
January 9, 2018 Stage I Entries Due
January 25, 2018 Announcement of Stage II Participants
May 1, 2018 Stage II Design Concept Submittals Due
July 4, 2018 Announcement of Selected Design Concept
November 11, 2020 Veterans Day Dedication of Memorial

AWARDS

Each applicant invited by the jury to participate in Stage II of this design competition may become

eligible to receive a $25,000 honorarium.

FEES

$50

JURY

Larry Ulaaq Ahvakana (Inupiaq), artist, Ahvakana Fine Art
Stephanie Birdwell (Cherokee), director, Veterans Affairs, Office of Tribal Government Relations
Johnnetta Betsch Cole, director emerita, Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art
Edwin Fountain, general counsel, American Battle Monuments Commission
Mark Kawika McKeague (Native Hawaiian), director of cultural planning, Group 70 International Inc.
Brian McCormack (Nez Perce), principal landscape architect, McCormack Landscape Architecture
Lillian Pitt (Wasco/Yakima/Warm Springs), artist
Herman Viola, curator emeritus, Smithsonian
Kevin Gover (Pawnee), alternate juror, director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian