November is Native American Heritage Month. Join us 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.
Events and programming
Iron Bear Singers
Join us in Stanley Field Hall on November 5 from 11am—12pm for an Indigenous song and dance performance.
Iron Bear Singers are a powwow drum group from Chicago. Their big drum singing style is the center of contemporary Native American powwow dancing. The American Indian Center of Chicago has a longstanding and deeply meaningful history of supporting American Indian/First Nations singers and dancers, and their cultural continuity. This solid foundation of support continues on through IronBear’s ongoing community engagements and collaborations that work to combat cultural erasure and create safer spaces for AI/FN people.
Meet a Scientist
Join us Nov. 12th as Tribal Liaison JD Chancellor and Mellon Registration and Cultural Engagement Specialist Jada Whiterock as they share stories from the North American Anthropology Collections.
PlayLab PlayDate
On Nov 12, join us in the Crown Family PlayLab for a story time for 2-6 year olds! In this interactive storytime session, guest readers from Chicago Public Library will read stories honoring Native American history, culture and identities.
Recommended exhibitions
See Inside Native Truths: Our Voices, Our Stories
Can't make it to the Museum?
Take a walk through Native Truths: Our Voices, Our Stories in this high-resolution, 360 degree virtual tour!
Select Learning Resources
Our Voices, Our Stories
Listen to Native artists answer the question: Why is it important for us to tell our stories?
Native Truths: Come Alive By Nicole Emmons
Watch the unique animation created for and about the Field Museum's Native Truths: Our Voices, Our Stories exhibit by animator Nicole Emmons.
The Great Bear Hunt, narrated by Karen Ann Hoffman
Storyteller Karen Ann Hoffman, Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, tells the story of the Great Bear Hunt as she knows the tradition.
Reading List from Chicago Public Library
Acknowledgments
Thank you to the Field Museum staff who volunteered their time with the Native American Heritage Month Planning Committee to organize these programs.