How To Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day In Chicago

CHICAGO — Monday is Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and there are various cultural celebrations, educational activities and more ways to commemorate the occasion in the Chicago area.

As a city whose land was once home to many Native peoples, including members of the Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi nations, Chicago is the perfect place to celebrate the holiday.

Alongside permanent fixtures in the city that people can support, like the Field Museum’s Native Truths exhibition and the Center for Native Futures, we’ve compiled other pop-up events happening over the next week to honor Indigenous history and culture.

Here are seven events commemorating Indigenous Peoples’ Day in the Chicago area:

Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration at Harrison Park

11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday

Harrison Park, 1824 S. Wood St., Pilsen

As part of the Chicago Park District’s “Night Out in the Parks” program, this free, all-ages celebration features music, storytelling, performances by the Tierra Colombiana Dance Ensemble and more. The event takes place near the National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen, so attendees are invited to swing by the museum next door, too.

Learn more here.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day Kids Camp

10 a.m.-noon Monday

Color Me Mine, 3849 N. Lincoln Ave., North Center

If your kids are off school on Monday in honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Color Me Mine in North Center has a “creepy, creative painting adventure” they can enjoy. During this two-hour guided workshop, kids will paint a snake mug that they can take home.

This activity is ages 5+ and costs $49 per child. All supplies and instructions are included. Learn more here.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day at Chicago Children’s Museum

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday

Chicago Children’s Museum, 700 E. Grand Ave., Navy Pier

The Chicago Children’s Museum is celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day with a story lounge, where visitors can “lounge and curl up with books that celebrate Indigenous children, families, history, and culture.” They can also create wildflower “seed balls” which people can take home and plant in their own gardens and neighborhoods.

Learn more here.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day at Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday

Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum, 3001 Central St., Evanston

In honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum is offering free admission for people to learn about Indigenous histories and cultures, plus enjoy guided craft activities.

Learn more here.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day Real Ones Read: Saints of the Household

5:30-6:30 p.m. Monday

Chinatown Chicago Public Library, 2100 S. Wentworth Ave., Chinatown

At this book club for high school teens, you don’t have to read the book in advance. Instead, attendees will be able to pick up the book “Saints of the Household” by Indigenous Costa Rican author Ari Tison at the event, where they’ll take turns reading and discussing. Snacks will be provided.

Spots are limited. Learn more and register here.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day at Old Town School of Folk Music

7:30 p.m. Monday

Old Town School of Folk Music’s Gary and Laura Maurer Concert Hall, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave., Lincoln Square

In honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, this group concert in Lincoln Square features performances by Afro-Puerto Rican bomba ensemble Colectivo Sayba, Afro-Venezuelan musical group Tamanaco Tambor and Mexican folk music ensemble Trio Axol.

Learn more about these groups and the show here. Admission is free and donations are encouraged.

Indigenous Scary Storytelling

5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14

Thatcher Woods Pavilion, 8030 Chicago Ave., west of Thatcher Avenue, River Forest

Chicago’s American Indian Center is hosting an evening of traditional and contemporary supernatural storytelling at Thatcher Woods Pavilion in River Forest.

Learn more here.

Here are Chicago-based organizations serving Indigenous peoples year-round:

• American Indian Association of Illinois, 1650 W. Foster Ave.
• American Indian Center of Chicago, 3401 W. Ainslie St.
• American Indian Health Service of Chicago, 4326 W. Montrose Ave.
• Center for Native Futures, 56 W. Adams St.
• Chicago American Indian Community Collaborative
• Indigenous Chicago with Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton St.
• Native Truths: Our Voices, Our Stories at the Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive

Choose Chicago, the city’s official marketing organization, also has a list of some Indigenous-owned businesses people can support here.

Know of any events, exhibitions or organizations we should add to our list? Email arts@blockclubchi.org.

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