Native American Heritage Month event series at the Field Museum kicks off November 1st

This November, the Field Museum commemorates Native American Heritage Month with a robust schedule of programming including music, storytelling, dance, art, films, and pop-up presentations in Native Truths: Our Voices, Our Stories. Guests can join the museum in celebrating the diversity of values, traditions, and languages that make up the rich cultures of Native American communities this month and all year long.

November 1, 1:15-1:45pm; Opening Ceremony in Rice Native Gardens

Free Admission Day

-Dave Spencer (Mississippi Chata/Diné) kicks off Native American Heritage Month with a blessing ceremony and a traditional song.

-Chicago-based hand drum group Oka Homma Singers perform songs.

November 2, 2-4:30pm; Film and Video Fest in Montgomery Ward Hall

Free Admission Day

The Field partners with the First Nations Film and Video Festival to showcase several short films that break racial stereotypes and promote awareness of Native American issues. All films screened are directed by Indigenous filmmakers.

November 9, 10-11am; Story Time in Pawnee Earth Lodge

Free Admission Day

In partnership with Chicago Public Library, the Field presents a hybrid in-person and live virtual story time event. Librarian Daylily Alverez will read Powwow Day by Traci Sorell and Berry Song by Michaela Goade, as well as lead the children in songs.

November 12, 11am-1:30pm; Native American Month Celebration in Stanley Field Hall

Visitors can join the celebration featuring Native American cultural performances, story tellers, and a Q&A. Highlights include:

-Oneida Dance Group performs Smoke Dance demonstrations in Stanley Field Hall.

-Artist Norma Robertson (Dakota) demonstrates beading techniques in Grainger Science Hub.

-Pop up presentations throughout the exhibition Native Truths: Our Voices, Our Stories.

-Special menu by Chef Jessica Pamonicutt (Menominee) is offered in the Bistro restaurant.

Full in-person and virtual programming calendar can be found at Native American Heritage Month | Field Museum

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.