WASHINGTON, DC.- The Smithsonian抯 National Museum of the American Indian has achieved accreditation from the American Association of Museums, the highest national recognition for museum excellence. Of the nation抯 nearly 17,500 museums, just 4 percent have received accreditation, according to the AAM.

揟his is tremendously good news. Through the dedication of our board of trustees, staff, volunteers and members, we have achieved something extraordinary梐ccreditation from the American Association of Museums in less than five years since opening our museum on the National Mall,� said Kevin Gover (Pawnee/Comanche), director of the museum.

Accreditation is a rigorous multiyear process that examines all aspects of a museum抯 operations. The accreditation commission, an independent and autonomous body of museum professionals, only certifies museums that are operating at the highest levels of industry standards.

揂ccreditation from the American Association of Museums is all about a museum抯 commitment to excellence in all that it does,� said Ford W. Bell, AAM president. 揟he National Museum of the American Indian is an esteemed institution, with deep significance for all Americans. Accreditation confirms that it is also one of the finest museums in the nation.�

Since its creation, the National Museum of the American Indian has hosted thousands of Native American artists, dancers, leaders, musicians, poets, scholars and writers who have educated, entertained and inspired millions of visitors from around the globe. The museum抯 unparalleled collection of more than 800,000 items has been variously conserved, curated, displayed, digitized, exhibited, repatriated and researched.

This fall, the museum celebrates four landmark anniversaries梩he signing of the legislation that created the museum 20 years ago; the 15th anniversary of the opening of the museum抯 New York City location, the George Gustav Heye Center; the 10th anniversary of the Cultural Resources Center, a state-of-the art collections facility in Suitland, Md.; and the fifth anniversary of the opening of the museum on the National Mall, Sept. 21, 2004.