Native American Cultural Celebration

March 3, 2024 10:00AM

Sunday, March 3 ǀ 10 a.m.–4 p.m. ǀ FREE

At this free family festival, celebrate and learn about longstanding traditions in art, dance and music from Indigenous people across the U.S.

Registration

The festival is free, but registration is required. Although you may register upon admission, we strongly recommend registering in advance. Museum members do not need to register in advance and can scan their cards upon arrival.

Parking

From 9:15 a.m.-5 p.m., free parking will be available at the UMKC Cherry Street Parking Structure, located at 5005 Oak Street. Free shuttles will transport guests from the Cherry Street side of the structure. Accessible transportation for guests with disabilities will be provided.

Please note:
The ramp between the Bloch Building Plaza entrance and Bloch Lobby will be closed for an art installation during the festival. We ask that you use the stairs or elevator to move between levels in the Bloch Building. We apologize for the inconvenience.

SCHEDULED PERFORMANCES AND ACTIVITIES

11 a.m.–noon & 2–3 p.m.* | Haskell Indian Nations University Dancers Performances & Young Buffalo Horse Singers
Kirkwood Hall
Watch the Grand Entry by the Haskell Indian Nations University Veterans Color Guard and an opening song by Uriah Little Hoop (Oglala/Sicangu Lakota and Diné Nations) of Alliance, Nebraska. Then, enjoy diverse styles of Native American dance performed by 20 students from Haskell Indian Nations University from Lawrence, Kansas, accompanied by the drumming and singing by the Young Buffalo Horse Singers.
*2 p.m. show will not include performances by the Color Guard or Uriah Little Hoop

12–2 p.m. | Membership table
Sculpture Hall
Members can visit to receive their exclusive Native American Cultural Celebration pins. Not a member? Come by to learn more about membership levels and their benefits.

12–2 p.m. | Beading Demonstration
Noguchi Terrace (Noguchi Court in case of inclement weather)
Watch Patricia Nelson of the Standing Rock Sioux demonstrate loom work and beading.

12–3 p.m. | Games and Meet & Greet
Noguchi Terrace (Noguchi Court in case of inclement weather)
Play games with representatives from the Kansas City Indian Center and museum volunteers.

1–3 p.m. | Quillwork Demonstration
Noguchi Terrace ( Noguchi Court in case of inclement weather)
Watch Cheristine Mousseau, Oglala Lakota Artist demonstrate quillwork.

12:15–12:50 & 3–3:35 p.m. | Songs, Stories, and Teachings
Atkins Auditorium
Hailing from Alliance, Nebraska, the acclaimed singer and award-winning Jingle dancer Uriah Little Hoop (Oglala/Sicangu Lakota and Diné Nations) performs her favorite traditional songs and shares her personal connections to them as well as their cultural and spiritual significance. The performance will be followed by a Q & A.

Musical performance by Alex Kimball Williams
1–2 p.m.  
Musician Alex Kimball Williams of the band Bad Alaskan reimagines traditional Indigenous motifs on synthesizers with elements of meditation and cinema. Enjoy a special selection from her newest album, Red & Black, and a rare presentation about her culture and artistic practice.

ONGOING ACTIVITIES | 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Discussions with Docents & Museum Guides
Galleries 208 & 209, Nelson-Atkins Building
Learn about select objects in the museum collection.

Art Activities
Classrooms 3, 4, 5, Nelson-Atkins Building
Fold and color a paper carrying bag inspired by the elaborately decorated rawhide parfleche on display in the museum collection.

Plains Indian Tipi
North Lawn of The Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park
Visit the Plains Indian Tipi, painted by Gros Ventre artist Chandler Good Strike.

1–4 p.m. | Learning Station
Educator Resource Center, Nelson-Atkins Building
Explore resources about Native American art and culture.

1–4 p.m. | Library Art Activity
Spencer Art Reference Library, Bloch Building
Fold and decorate your own paper carrying bag inspired by the elaborately decorated rawhide parfleche on display at the Nelson-Atkins. Guests can learn more about Native American art through a special book display.

DINING
11 a.m.–3 p.m. | Food for Purchase
Bloch Lobby
Enjoy á la carte selections inspired by Indigenous cultures. (While supplies last.)

11 a.m.–3 p.m.* | Rozzelle Court Restaurant
Order signature salads, sandwiches, breads, and desserts.
*Desserts and beverages served until 4 p.m.

Know the three rules of the Nelson-Atkins
To ensure the safety and preservation of the art, we ask all Nelson-Atkins guests to follow three primary rules when they come to the museum:

Stay at least two feet from the art. Please do not touch, lean on, or sit on the art, including outdoor sculptures and the reflecting pool.
No backpacks in the galleries. We offer free coat and bag check in the Bloch Building lobby. If you must wear a backpack, please wear it in on one shoulder.
No food or drink in the galleries. Guests are permitted to eat outdoors and in designated indoor dining areas.

SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Lilly Endowment Inc. for support of this year’s Native American Cultural Celebration.

Participants and community partners who help make our Native American Cultural Celebration a success.

Members — the art and soul of the museum — and volunteers, whose support makes festivals like this possible. To learn more about membership, visit the Info Desk or artandsoulkc.org.

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