January 2010:

Northwest Native Exhibit Coming to North Shore
Jan. 23–June 13

"Raising the Totem: Exploring Northwest Coast Indigenous Cultures"
at Evanston's Mitchell Museum Will Coincide With Vancouver's Winter Olympics

An exhibit about the culture of Native peoples of the Northwest Coast, coinciding with the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, will open on Saturday, January 23, at the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian, 3001 Central St., Evanston.

Organized by the Mitchell Museum, the exhibit, "Raising the Totem: Exploring Northwest Coast Indigenous Cultures" will be on view through June 13.A private preview for museum members is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, January 21.
The Vancouver Olympics in mid-February is being co-hosted by a consortium of four Canadian First Nations of the Northwest Coast, whose history and culture will be showcased during the games.

The independent, nonprofit Mitchell Museum, which has a significant collection of Northwest Coast artifacts, felt that an exhibit about the region would afford museum visitors an insight into — and a closer connection with — the Native peoples who will have a high profile during Olympic telecasts.

The exhibit will comprise approximately 50 objects, mostly from the museum’s permanent collection, along with historical photos. On view will be ceremonial cedar masks, totem pole models, flat art, baskets, rattles, and other items that help illustrate Northwest Coast spirituality, history, customs, and contemporary concerns. The displays "represent the best of the Mitchell Museum’s Northwest Coast collection," according to the curators.

The Northwest Coast cultural area is a narrow crescent of land extending approximately 1,500 miles from southern Alaska to the Oregon–California border, flanked by the Pacific Ocean to the west and inland mountain ranges to the east. Archaeologists believe Native peoples have populated this region for more than 10,000 years. Salmon, whales, sea mammals, and cedar forests figure prominently in traditional Native life ways. Elaborate feasts known as potlatches and carved cedar totem or crest poles depicting family history and social status are cultural touchstones. Among the area’s distinctive, iconic symbols are the raven and the thunderbird.

According to the authors of Native North American Art, published by Oxford University Press, "The region's geography has largely isolated it, especially in the north, undoubtedly contributing to the coherence of Northwest Coast artistic traditions."

The Mitchell Museum will be hosting exhibit-related programs, including documentary film screenings and children’s activities. Details will be announced shortly.

Admission to the exhibit is included with museum admission, which is $5 for adults, $2.50 for seniors, students, teachers (with valid school ID), and children. Maximum admission per family is $10. For information, phone (847) 475-1030.

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April 2009:

Old Native Jewelry and Beadwork To Be Focus of Events April 25-26 at Mitchell Museum

Special events for seasoned and novice collectors of old Native American jewelry and beadwork — and anyone curious about these genres  — are scheduled for Saturday, April 25,  and Sunday, April 26, at the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian, 3001 Central St., Evanston.
           

Tom and Deborah Begner, of Turkey Mountain Traders, Scottsdale, Ariz., will make presentations, conduct an informal appraisal session, and exhibit a diverse collection of items for sale. Ten percent of sales proceeds will benefit the nonprofit Mitchell Museum.
           

The Begners will give a presentation on “Antique Eastern Woodlands Beadwork” at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, focusing largely on beadwork made by members of the various Iroquois tribes from about 1800 to 1930.
           

At 2:15 p.m., they will offer informal identifications and appraisals of old Native American jewelry and Eastern beadwork brought in by the public.
           

They will speak on “The Top 10 Things to Look for in Old Indian Jewelry” at 3:15 p.m.
           

The Begners, who founded Turkey Mountain Traders 20 years ago, will stage an exhibition and sale of old jewelry and antique Eastern beadwork from 4-7 p.m. Items for sale include beadwork items priced from about $100 to $3,000, including beaded bags, souvenir “whimseys,” and hats from the late 1800s.  The jewelry is principally of Navajo and Zuni Pueblo origin, with items priced from $125. A noteworthy piece is a $12,000 Zuni fetish necklace made of shell and stone by the celebrated carver Leekya, who worked in the 1940s and 1950s.
           

Antique Indian beadwork and old jewelry also will be exhibited and sold from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, April 26.

Admission to the events is included with museum admission. Admission is $5 for adults, $2.50 for seniors, students, teachers (with valid school ID), and children. Maximum suggested admission per family is $10. For information, phone (847) 475-1030.

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Cultural Connections
A partnership of ethnic museums and cultural centers presents:

More than Fun and Games:
Co-presented by Mitchell Museum of the American Indian / Swedish American Museum Center / Sponsored by Environment, Culture and Conservation (ECCo), a Division of Science at The Field Museum

From skis and kick sleds to snowshoes and snow snakes, both Swedes and American Indians have long and varied histories of participating in vigorous physical activity. Swedes have turned some utilitarian activities into popular recreational pastimes while American Indians have faced circumstances that drove many of their outdoor activities, both utilitarian and recreational, into disuse within their communities. Come explore how the use and meaning of physical activity has changed over time in both of these communities, discovering themes of shifting continuity, disjuncture and revival.

Wednesday, April 15th, 6:00-8:30pm
at the Swedish American Museum and Center
5211 N. Clark Street

Pre-registration is required and space is limited. Reserve your seats by calling (773) 830-1481 or e-mail culturalconnectionsevents@gmail.com. For more information, go to http://www.fieldmuseum.org/ccuc.
Teachers can receive 2.5 Continuing Professional Development Units (CPDUs) for each Cultural Connections program attended.

General admission is $15; teachers, students, and seniors are $10; children under 12 are free. A sampling of traditional foods is always served. Admission fees will be collected at the door. Cash or check only please.

 

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May 2009:

Join Us for a Fantastic Night of Red Blues . . .

Mitchell Museum of the American Indian Benefit Concert
Featuring Al Jewer and the Native American All Stars

Monday, May 4 / 6:30 PM / S.P.A.C.E. 
1245 Chicago Avenue / Evanston / At Union Pizzeria

Do Indians get the blues? Damn sure they do . . . Red blues to be exact. There aren't any finer musicians practicing the art of indigenous blues than renowned Chippewa flutist Al Jewer and the Native American Blues All Stars. The Evanston-based Mitchell Museum of the American Indian is proud to present Jewer and the band in a one-night stand benefiting the institution’s culture, education and outreach programs. Featured alongside Jewer’s captivating musical voice are Bill Buchholtz (keyboard & flutes), Bad River Chippewa Mike DeNomie (bass), Native Heart Andy Mitran (d'jimbe) and Menominee Wade Fernandez (vocals & lead guitar).

The event will also include a "Split the Pot" cash raffle. Raffle tickets are $5 each or six for $25, and are available at then concert or by calling the museum at the number below. The drawing winner need not be present.

Your $75 benefit donation includes the delicious Union pizza buffet plus one free drink ticket. Fifty dollars of your admission fee is tax-deductible. To be a part of this great event click the button below or call the museum at:
(847) 475-1030.

If you prefer to mail a check please send to:
Mitchell Museum of the American Indian
3001 Central Street
Evanston, IL 60201