Milwaukee Public Museum Celebrates Native American Heritage Month for Last Time in Current Building
MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Public Museum (MPM) is celebrating the final Native American Heritage Month (NAHM) in its current building with special events and programs that explore Indigenous traditions, languages, history and more. Visitors are invited to attend:
- MPM’s second annual 3 Rivers Powwow;
- drumming and singing performances;
- a moccasin-making workshop;
- lectures about bird-monitoring efforts and collections care;
- chats with Museum experts about moccasin designs and traditional ecological knowledge;
- storytimes for young learners read in Indigenous languages;
- free admission days,
- and hands-on learning stations throughout the Museum’s Native American exhibits.
In addition, Wisconsin Tribal members receive free Museum admission, November 1-30, thanks to generous support from Potawatomi Casino | Hotel.
“Native American Heritage Month is an opportunity to spotlight the diverse cultures and contributions of Indigenous peoples and remind the community that Native American heritage is alive and thriving today,” said James Flores, MPM Manager of Tribal Relations. “This November carries special significance as the Museum prepares to celebrate Native American Heritage Month for the final time in the current building. Throughout November, we will honor MPM’s groundbreaking Native American exhibits as we also welcome Indigenous dancers, artists and storytellers to share their craft, knowledge and experiences.”
SCHEDULE
Isabel Bader Community Day
Presented by Bader Philanthropies
Sunday, November 1, 2026, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
All visitors enjoy complimentary admission and the below special programming in honor of Isabel Bader Community Day, which celebrates the first day of Native American Heritage Month and what would have been late Milwaukee philanthropist Isabel Bader’s 100th birthday. Bader worked as a teacher for nearly three decades, and later in life, became a strong ally of Indigenous communities.
- Performances by Red Nation Boyz, Noon and 1 p.m.
Enjoy the powerful sounds of Native American drumming and singing.
Located in the Steigleder Special Exhibits Gallery on the Second Floor - Education Stations, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Museum educators will offer hands-on activities about Wisconsin Tribes and Indigenous foods.
Located throughout the Second Floor - Activities and Storytimes for Early Learners, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. (recommended for ages 3-6)
Museum educators will be joined by the UW-Milwaukee‘s Electa Quinney Institute to lead storytimes with books by Indigenous authors (read in both English and Native languages).
Located in the Early Learning classroom under the Grand Staircase on the Ground Floor
Kohl’s Thank You Thursday
Thursday, November 5, 2026, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
All visitors enjoy FREE admission and the below special programming (located throughout the Second Floor), thanks to support from Kohl’s Cares.
- Collections Highlight: Moccasins
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 2-4 p.m.
MPM’s Manager of Tribal Relations James Flores (Oneida) will share his knowledge on the various construction, design styles and significance of moccasins worn by the different Wisconsin Tribal Nations. - Education Stations
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 2-4 p.m.
Museum educators will offer hands-on activities about Wisconsin Tribes and Indigenous foods. - Curator Chat
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
MPM’s Curator of Anthropology Dawn Scher Thomae will discuss and answer questions about ongoing Anthropology projects and initiatives at the Museum.
Moccasin Workshop
Sunday, November 8, 2026, Noon-4 p.m.
During this beginner-level workshop, the instructor will teach each participant how to make a pattern from their own foot, cut the pattern from leather and construct a pair of moccasins.
$125/person; limited tickets available
Introduction to Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge (ITEK)
Saturday, November 14, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
MPM’s Manager of Tribal Relations James Flores (Oneida Nation) will provide an overview of Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge and some of the ways plants are an example of ITEK among the Menominee, Potawatomi, and Oneida Nations.
Located on the Second Floor
NAGPRA Free Virtual Lecture
Wednesday, November 18, 6-7:30 p.m.
“Returning to the People: How MPM works with Indigenous groups to bring their history and ancestors home” with Dawn Scher Thomae, MPM’s Curator of Anthropology Collections; register here
Science on Tap
Thursday, November 19, 2026, 6 p.m. social hour, 7 p.m. lecture
“Oneida Bird Monitoring Program – Connecting Community Science, Oneida Knowledge, & Land Management” with Tony Kuchma (Oneida Nation Environmental), Tehahukótha (Randy) Cornelius (Oneida Nation Cultural Heritage), and Erin Giese (UW-Green Bay Cofrin Center for Biodiversity); buy tickets
3 Rivers Powwow
Saturday, November 21, 2026, Noon-7 p.m.
The 3 Rivers Powwow is back! Celebrate Native American history, culture and living traditions through song, dance, art and community. Dancers dressed in beautiful regalia will showcase various dance styles to songs shared from different Wisconsin drum groups. Visitors can also support many amazing Indigenous artisans who will have a wide selection of items for sale.
More information about Native American Heritage Month at MPM is available at: mpm.edu/nahm.
About the Milwaukee Public Museum
The Milwaukee Public Museum is Wisconsin’s natural history museum, welcoming over half a million visitors annually. Located in downtown Milwaukee, the Museum was chartered in 1882, opened to the public in 1884, and currently houses more than 4 million objects in its collections. MPM has three floors of exhibits that encompass life-size dioramas, walk-through villages, world cultures, dinosaurs, a rainforest, and a live butterfly garden, as well as the Daniel M. Soref Dome Theater & Planetarium. MPM is operated by Milwaukee Public Museum, Inc., a private, non-profit company, and its facilities and collections are held in trust and supported by Milwaukee County for the benefit of the public.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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