We’re only a couple days away from the start of Native American Heritage Month and its annual recognition of the traditions, languages and stories of Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities. Locally, the Milwaukee Public Museum (MPM) has scheduled a series of events so visitors can connect with and learn about America’s Indigenous peoples.
The entire month’s programming is a partnership with Potawatomi Casino Hotel and includes things like free admission, a film screening and even a special dinner.
"Native American Heritage Month is a celebration of the diverse voices and cultures of the First Nations in Wisconsin and beyond,” MPM manager of Tribal relations James Flores said in a release. “It's a time to recognize the many contributions of Native peoples, as well as their history, unique connections to this land, tribal sovereignty and the many ways they are thriving today.”
In addition to the individual events below, the museum will offer free admission to Wisconsin tribal members all month long and have its educators on the exhibit floors to provide more information about topics like Wisconsin’s tribes, Oneida white corn and how we can work together to preserve manoomin (wild rice).
For more information about the month’s programming, events and other resources, visit the Native American Heritage section of the MPM website.
Friday, Nov. 1: Isabel Bader Community Free Day
All visitors enjoy free admission in honor of Isabel Bader Community Free Day, which celebrates the first day of Native American Heritage Month and what would have been late Milwaukee philanthropist Isabel Bader’s 98th birthday. Isabel Bader worked as a teacher for nearly three decades and later in life became a strong ally of Indigenous communities.
“As a champion of Indigenous communities and an educator at heart, Isabel would have jumped at the opportunity to enable more people to join Milwaukee Public Museum in learning about and celebrating the many contributions First Nations peoples have made to Wisconsin and the world," said Dan Bader, Isabel’s stepson and the president/CEO of Bader Philanthropies.
As part of Isabel Bader Community Free Day, visitors are invited to enjoy complimentary refreshments at 1 p.m. in the Ground Floor Garden Gallery in honor of Isabel’s philanthropic legacy.
Saturday, Nov. 2: Native American Heritage Celebration
In recognition of the kickoff weekend to Native American Heritage Month, the Ho-Chunk drum group Little Priest will perform songs while dancers dressed in regalia demonstrate different dance styles seen at powwows today. MPM research curator of cultural sciences Dr. Aaron Atencio and curator of anthropology collections Dawn Scher Thomae will be on the second floor to chat with visitors about the Museum’s Native American exhibits and initiatives.
Thursday, Nov. 7: Kohl's Thank You Thursday
All visitors enjoy free admission as part of the MPM’s free admission day on the first Thursday of every month, thanks to support from Kohl's. Visitors can explore the second floor’s Native American exhibits and stop by several stations where Museum educators will talk about Native American foods, histories and life today.
Thursday, Nov. 7: ‘Light the Path’ documentary (6-7:30 p.m.)
Visitors are invited to attend a free screening of Light the Path — a powerful story of resilience and self-determination from Indian Community School, located in Franklin. Their story is beautifully told through the collective voices of many in the urban Native community. Indian Community School representatives will be on hand to introduce the film and answer questions afterward.
Thursday, Nov. 14: Native American Heritage Month Dinner (5:30-9 p.m.)
Ketapanen Kitchen, Chicago's first Native American pop-up kitchen and catering company, will serve Indigenous cuisine during this special dinner event. Executive chef Jessica Walks First (Pamonicutt) of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin recently appeared on Bravo’s Milwaukee-based season of Top Chef as a guest judge for the “Indigenous Foods” episode.
The program will include remarks from Walks First, a presentation by artist Mark Fischer of the Oneida Nation about his Indigenous art installation for the Future Museum and songs by Ho-Chunk drum group Little Priest.
Thursday, Nov. 21: Virtual lecture (6-7:30 p.m.)
This free lecture, titled “Returning to the People: How MPM works with Indigenous groups to bring their history and ancestors home,” will provide a brief overview of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), a federal law passed in 1990 that regulates how institutions like museums return Native American items to descendants and tribes, and NAGPRA’s impact on MPM’s collections, exhibits and programs.
