In honor of Native American Heritage Month happening this November, the State Indian Museum is offering a series of special events and activities each weekend that celebrate and share the lasting heritage, traditions and contributions of Native Americans with the local community. In fact, the State Indian Museum will offer notable Basket Weaving Demonstrations, a compelling Native Literature Showcase, hands-on Traditional Skills Workshops and an always-popular Arts & Crafts Holiday Fair. All Native American Heritage Month activities happening in November at the State Indian Museum are provided free with regular admission.
California Indian Basket Weaving Demonstrations — Saturday, November 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Native weavers will demonstrate how to use a variety of materials and techniques, and also share stories in a day long showcase of basketry art. The special — and noteworthy — guest weavers include Dixie Rogers, Karuk; Diana Almandariz, Maidu/Wintun; Bertha Mitchel, Wintun; Ardith Read, Yosemite Tuolomne Mewuk and Jennifer Bates, Mewuk.
Native Literature Showcase – Meet the Authors! — Saturday, November 10, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Some of America’s Native literary greats will be special guests at the Museum to participate in mini-lectures and book signings that are offered every half hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The special guest authors include the following: Beverly Ortiz, After the First Full Moon in April; Beverly Ogle, Whisper of the Maidu; Albert Hurtado, Indian Survival on the California Frontier; Alicia Funk, Living Wild – Gardening, Cooking, and Healing With Native Plants; Brendan Lindsay, Murder State: California’s Native American Genocide, 1846-1873; William Bauer, We Were All Like Migrant Workers Here; Alison Owings, Indian Voices – Listening to Native Americans; James Sandos, Converting California – Indians and Franciscans in the Missions; Olympic Gold Medalist Billy Mills, Lessons of a Lakota; and Justin Farmer, Basketry Plants Used by Western American Indians.
Traditional Skills Workshops — Saturday, November 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The State Indian Museum is proud to present a full day of adult-level Native American traditional skills learning along with fun activities for children. Led by skilled artisans, adult workshops include the following: Soapstone Carving, Cordage Making, Clapstick Making, Tule Doll Making, Indian Beadworking, Pinenut Crafting, Native hand game instruction, and more. Pre-registration is required for the workshops.
Arts & Crafts Holiday Fair — Friday & Saturday, November 23 & 24, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Enjoy shopping for unique, hand-crafted items such as jewelry, basketry, pottery, hand-painted gourds, dolls, holiday ornaments and much more. This is your chance to meet and support talented native artisans from all over California while also learning more about the Native American culture.
While all special activities are free, regular Museum admission applies. For more information about these events and activities or the State Indian Museum in general, call 916-324-8112 or 916-324-0971, or visit www.parks.ca.gov/indianmuseum.
