What's Doing at National Museum of the American Indian in October & November

Native News Network Staff in Entertainment. Discussion »

WASHINGTON - The National Museum of the American Indian has announced the following events for the remainder of October and the month of November:

Opening
Oct. 29 & 30

Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 29 & 30. Opening Weekend: "A Song for the Horse Nation." 10 am - 5:30 pm, Outdoor Welcome Plaza, Potomac Atrium, and Richard M. West Gallery, 3rd Level

The National Museum of the American Indian and the Washington International Horse Show are partnering to celebrate horses in Native American culture as part of the opening of the exhibition, "A Song for the Horse Nation." The DC Mounted Police and Crow artist Kennard Real Bird will present the US and Crow Nation colors on horseback at 3:00 pm on the museum's Outdoor Welcome Plaza, while singer KJ Jacks (Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma) performs the US national anthem. Family activities throughout the weekend include hands-on ledger art and beading workshops, storytelling with children's book author SD Nelson (Standing Rock Sioux) and special tours of the exhibition.

November

Thursday - Sunday, November 3-5. Chikasha Poya: We Are Chickasaw. 10:30 am - 4:30 pm, Potomac Atrium.

November 3-5

The Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma will celebrate its tribal heritage and history with three days of food, hands-on activities and performances, including dancing, singing, flute playing, storytelling and other cultural arts such as beading, woodwork, pottery, weaving, and more. Come join in and get to know the Chickasaw people!

Saturday, Nov. 12. Native Pride Dancers. 11 am - 2 pm Potomac Atrium.

Experience the rhythmic drumming, skilled footwork and authentic regalia of a Native American powwow! World Champion Fancy Dancer Larry Yazzie of the Meskwaki Nation and the Native Pride Dancers perform music and movement celebrated by their American Indian cultures. Enjoy the beauty, athleticism, and majesty of the Fancy Dance, featuring free-style movement and traditional songs from the Northern Plains. Enhanced by indigenous vocal and flute music, other dances like the Buffalo, Eagle, and Round Dances celebrate various animals, crops, the sun, and the wind.

Thursday - Sunday, November 17-20. Celebrate Chile Festival. 10:30 am - 5:30 pm, Potomac Atrium, various museum locations.

The country of Chile celebrates its indigenous communities with an art market, an exhibition of traditional arts and crafts, hands-on demonstrations and a sampling of traditional Native cuisine.

Thursday, November 17. Dinner & a Movie: "Older Than America," 7 pm, Rasmuson Theater, 1st level.

A haunting first feature, "Older Than America" explores a dark reality that has shaped generations of American Indian experience cross the United States and Canada - the Indian boarding school. A woman's haunting visions reveal a web of intrigue that reaches out from the past in a cry for justice and healing. Cuisine from the Mitsitam Cafe will be available for purchase from 5 to 6:30 pm.

Register online at AmericanIndian.si.edu/calendar »

posted October 13, 2011 6:50 am edt