(SACRAMENTO, CALIF.) – The mystery of an artifact associated with California’s best known Native, Ishi, will be featured on the Dec. 20th season finale of the Travel Channel series, “Mysteries at the Museum,” from 9:00-10:00 p.m. Researched for the Museum’s exhibition, “California Indians: Making A Difference,” staff anthropologist Dr. P. Christiaan Klieger recounts the discovery of the fur cape and his investigation of its authenticity, which shed new light on the Yahi tribe’s “extinct” classification and challenged the label given to Ishi by Dr. Alfred Kroeber in 1911 as, “the last wild Indian in North America.”

The rare Yahi cape is displayed in the Museum’s permanent exhibit, “California Indians: Making A Difference,” which opened on Mar. 30th and is the only one of its kind to be developed in Native voice. Representing over 100 tribes across the state, the 3,000-square foot gallery was created under a Native advisory council’s direction to showcase the unique contributions of the California’s Native peoples through over 400 artifacts including:

• Newspaper articles, fur cape and glass arrowhead commemorating the 100th anniversary of Ishi’s discovery
• Basketry by two of the 20th century’s most famous Native artists, Dotsolalee and Lucy Telles
• Contemporary Native artwork from Frank LaPeña, Harry Fonseca & Fritz Scholder
• All-new oral history series featuring 13 Native Californians on multimedia stations

Utilizing the voices and experiences of Natives themselves, the exhibit presents stories of adaptation and triumph which reveal California Indians have not only survived but continue to thrive in the state’s constantly changing cultural conditions.

Contact

Brenna Hamilton, Communications Director, at (916) 651-0934 or bhamilton@californiamuseum.org

When

Tuesday, December 20, 2011, from 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Travel Channel’s “Mysteries at the Museum’ (Comcast digital cable in Sacramento, check local listings for times and channels elsewhere.)

Where

The California Museum, 1020 O Street (the corner of 10th and O Streets), Sacramento, CA 95814

About The California Museum

The California Museum — home of the California Hall of Fame — engages, educates and enlightens people about California’s rich history and unique contributions to the world through ideas, innovation, the arts and culture. Through interactive and innovative experiences, the Museum inspires men, women and children to dream the California dream and dares them to make their own mark on history. Open Mon.-Sat. 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Sun.: 12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Admission: adults $8.50; college students & seniors $7.00 with valid ID; youth 6-17: $6.00; children 5 and under: free. For more information, visit: CaliforniaMuseum.org