Celebrate Native people and Native stories this November

Celebrate Native people and Native stories this November

The Field Museum will host an array of events celebrating Native American Heritage Month.

Each November, Native American Heritage Month honors the cultures and contributions of Native Americans while raising awareness of their ongoing challenges. At the Field Museum, guests can join in celebrating the diversity of values, traditions, and languages that make up the rich cultures of Native American communities.

“The upcoming events highlight specific items, enhancing understanding of the narratives surrounding them and promoting engagement,” says Jada Whiterock, Early Careers Mellon Fellow of North American Anthropology and Native American Heritage Month content advisor. “Ultimately, this month teaches us about resilience, the importance of respecting cultural diversity, and the need for ongoing education and support for indigenous rights.”

Wednesday, November 6 - Meet a Scientist - 11am-1pm

Free Day for Illinois residents

The Field Museum's North American Anthropology Early Career Fellows Jasmine Eleck and Jada Whiterock will discuss Kimberly LaRonge's strap dress, "Our Grandmother's Dress,” in the Grainger Science Hub. They will discuss this collection piece in connection with the epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People (MMIWP) while raising awareness about this reality for Indigenous people.

Friday, November 8 - Performance with Dave Spencer and Oka Homma - 11am-1pm

Dave Spencer from the American Indian Center will open the performance with a blessing prayer and a traditional song, then the Oka Homma Singers will present a hand drum and song performance.

Dave Spencer is the Director of Art and Culture for the American Indian Center from Mississippi Chata/Dine. Oka Homma Singers is a Chicago-based drum group that performs intertribal songs from the Southern Plains.

Wednesday, November 13 - Storytime with Chicago Public Library - 11am

Free day for Illinois residents

Families with 2-6 year olds are invited to a free, drop-in storytime session in the Crown Family PlayLab hosted by the Chicago Public Library (CPL). In this interactive storytime session, guest readers from CPL will read stories honoring Native American history, culture, and identities. The PlayDate includes stories, songs, and more!

Saturday, November 16 - Indigenous Astronomy as told by the Haudenosaunee - 11am-1:30pm

In this presentation, Samantha Doxtator, Haudenosaunee from Oneida Nation of the Thames and Wolf Clan, will take the audience on an introspective journey through Haudenosaunee Cosmology. From creation to current innovations, perseverance, restoration, the cycles of birth and death, and how they all correlate with the stars. The event is open to all with paid admission. Registration is required.

Samantha is a personal development and land-based learning consultant who teaches life and employability skills that are grounded by traditional values. She uses her knowledge and experience to help build bridges of new understandings.

The Field Museum acknowledges that it was built on the traditional homelands of the Bodéwadmik (Potawatomi), Hoocąk (Winnebago/Ho-Chunk), Jiwere (Otoe), Nutachi (Missouria), and Baxoje (Iowas); Kiash Matchitiwuk (Menominee); Meshkwahkîha (Meskwaki); Asâkîwaki (Sauk); Myaamiaki (Miami), Waayaahtanwaki (Wea), and Peeyankihšiaki (Piankashaw); Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo); Inoka (Illini Confederacy); Anishinaabeg (Ojibwe), and Odawak (Odawa). The Museum recognizes that the region we now call Chicago was the traditional homelands of many Indigenous nations, and remains home to diverse Native people today. The land we walk was and remains Native land.

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