Native American Heritage Month at the Mayborn Museum
This year, the Mayborn is focused on celebrating Native storytelling; Central Texans can experience live performances and meet Native storytellers during November. Plus, the Mayborn Museum will host President Terri Parton and the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes for a community conversation on building long-term relations with Waco and Baylor University.
Programs:
Celebrate Native American Heritage with Indigenous ACE
Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at 3:00 PM
Join us for an encore performance by Indigenous ACE (Arts, Culture, and Education), from the Indigenous Cultures Institute in San Antonio features traditional dancers, musicians, and singers plus explanations of traditions. This event is included in the price of admission to the museum.
WE ARE WACO: Reconnecting with the Wí:ko:ʔ People
Monday, November 6, 2023, at 6:00pm
The Mayborn Museum will host President Terri Parton and the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes for a community conversation on building long-term relations with Waco and Baylor University.
Attendees will learn about the tribes’ history, culture, language, ideas, and hopes…and even the correct pronunciation of “Waco”. This event is free, but space is limited and advanced registration is required. https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/a5fhutw
Storytelling with Cherokee Nation's Robert Lewis
Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at 3:00 PM
Enjoy this entertaining storytelling experience with Robert Lewis of the Cherokee Nation, who will share stories of his people and culture. Lewis engages audiences of all ages with witty and amusing personal stories and Cherokee tales of language and history. This lecture is in partnership with Baylor’s Institute for Oral History and the Department of History. This event is included in the price of admission to the museum.
What is Indigenous ACE and what can people expect at their performance?
Indigenous ACE, from the Indigenous Cultures Institute in San Antonio, is a performance group made up of close family and friends that represent several tribes including Saponi, Comanche, Apache, Alabama-Coushatta, Chickasaw, Navajo, Wastec. I.A.C.E. collective strives to honor, preserve, and promote Indigenous traditions; educating the public on the beauty and value of Native cultures, while inspiring, motivating, and empowering Indigenous youth to strengthen their communities.
The family-friendly celebration will include performances from traditional dancers, musicians, and singers plus explanations of native traditions from men, women, and children. This program is included with the price of admission. Mayborn Museum members and Baylor University students receive free admission.
Several tribes are represented in Indigenous ACE—how does that shape the experience for attendees?
Central Texans can celebrate the rich and diverse cultures and traditions generated by Native people. Indigenous ACE is committed to representing the diversity of the native community. We hope that attendees experience the beauty and richness of the Indigenous community.
Who are the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes and what should I know about the WE ARE WACO: Reconnecting with the Wí:ko:ʔ People event?
The Wichita and Affiliated Tribes now reside in Anadarko, Oklahoma, and include direct descendants of the tribes indigenous to the Waco area; the Wichita, Keechi, Waco and Tawakoni people. President Terri Parton of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes and a delegation of eleven tribal leaders in various capacities throughout the Tribe will visit Waco, TX from 5-9 November 2023. The goal of the visit is to cultivate mutual understanding, connections, and new partnerships in Waco. This will be the first visit of its kind since 1912. Several Wichita Tribal Leaders including President Parton, former Wichita Tribal President Gary McAdams and James Ross, tribal elder visited Waco in 2014. However, the 2023 visit will be the largest delegation to visit Waco for a generation. Derek Ross, a member of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes and direct descendent of the Waco tribe, who has recently relocated with his family to Waco helped facilitate the visit. Derek is the son of James Ross. The Tribe is actively cultivating connections and relationships to prepare the ground for potential opportunities to reconnect tribal members with the region they once called home.
Which ages can attend these events?
Family Friendly, All Ages Welcome.