Milwaukee Public Museum to highlight Native American Heritage Month in November

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee Public Museum, in collaboration with Potawatomi Casino Hotel, is celebrating Native American Heritage Month throughout November.

The month-long event features special programming that emphasizes the traditions and contributions of Native Americans. Additionally, Wisconsin tribal members can enjoy free admission to the museum.

Throughout the month, the museum is offering daily activities and presentations. Visitors can interact with MPM staff and community presenters on the museum's second floor to learn about Native American history, artwork and craftsmanship starting Thursday, Nov. 2.

Dr. Aaron Atencio, the museum's Research Curator of Cultural Sciences, will discuss ledger art, which is a form of record-keeping introduced in the 1800s by European settlers to Plains Indians. Jesus Avila, a local artist, will showcase his mural "We the People, All the Nations."

MPM educators will provide interactive learning sessions on topics like birchbark canoes, the importance of Oneida white corn and the preservation efforts for wild rice. These presentations will be available throughout the month.

Anthropology Curator Dawn Scher Thomae will deliver a virtual lecture on the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act on Thursday, Nov. 9. Every Saturday in November, MPM staff will give tours exploring Indigenous foods of North America.

"Given our vast Native American collection and our continued collaborative work with tribal nations across the state, it is important MPM highlights Native American heritage in November and all year long," MPM President and CEO Dr. Ellen Censky shared in a press release on Tuesday, Oct. 31.

More information can be found by clicking here.