Indigenous Cultures Festival
April 7, 2026
Haskell Wetlands | 3:00PM - 4:30PM
Wetlands Walk with Courtney King (Peoria) and Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian
Attendees will learn about the stewardship practices of the Haskell Greenhouse Team, as they work to restore a unique convergence of wetlands and woodlands amid the larger prairie ecosystem. Attendees are encouraged to wear footwear appropriate for hiking and should plan to spend an hour and a half at the Wetlands.
Space is limited. Reserve your spot by emailing thecommons@ku.edu
Sponsored by The Commons, University of Kansas.
April 9, 2026
Lawrence Arts Center Auditorium | 7:00PM
Film Showcase by Blackhorse Lowe (Navajo)
A talk-back moderated by Joshua Miner, KU Film and Media Studies faculty will follow the showings.
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
April 11, 2026
Lied Center of Kansas | 1600 Stewart Drive, Lawrence KS 66045
Tipi Raising
Outdoor Activity Station | 9:00AM
Observe the raising of the KU tipi on the lawn of the Lied Center of Kansas.
Presentation: Powwow 101
Lied Center Pavilion | 10:30AM - 11:30AM
Presenter: Jancita Warrington (Menominee/ Potawatomi)
Listen and learn both the historical and contemporary history of the powwow and dances you will see at the event. You will hear an overview and explanation of the event head staff and their positions, songs, Tribal dances, and the purpose of the KU powwow.
A short question and answer session will be held at the end of the presentation.
Activity: Native American Books & Beaded Corn Cobs
Outdoor Activity Station (inside tipi) | 11:30AM - 4:30PM
Presenter: KU Speech, Language, Hearing Department
Read children’s books by Native American authors and create beaded corn cobs with pony beads and pipe cleaners at this children’s activity station located inside the tipi.
Presentation - Indigenous Arts Initiative Panel: Indie to TV -- Filmmaking A-Z
Lied Center Pavilion | 12:30PM - 1:30PM
Presenter: Blackhorse Lowe (Navajo)
Independent filmmaker and Reservation Dogs director Blackhorse Lowe will present alongside workshop participants about their experience learning about the film making process from idea to final festival screenings and television broadcast during a two-day workshop held in November 2025 as part of the Indigenous Arts Initiative (IAI). The IAI is a collaboration between the Kansas Department of Commerce, Kansas Arts Commission, KU Film and Media Studies, Spencer Museum of Art, and Lied Center of Kansas.
Activity: Hand Games
Kemper Lobby | 1:00-2:00pm
Presenter: Haskell Hand Game Club
Learn about, watch a demonstration, and play Native American Hand Game with Haskell Indian Nations University’s Hand Game Club. Hand Game is a traditional guessing game that involves hiding objects and guessing their locations and is played by many tribes, especially in the Pacific Northwest.
Presentation: Haskell and KU Student Scholarship Showcase
Lied Center Stage | 1:00PM – 3:00PM
Posters, artwork, and other scholarly projects by Haskell and KU student researchers, creatives, and student organizations will be on view on the Lied Center Stage throughout the day. Students will be present to talk about their work.
Apply HERE to share your work!
Presentation: History of Haskell
Lied Center Pavilion | 2:00PM - 3:00PM
Presenter: Dr. Eric Anderson (Citizen Potawatomi)
Learn about the history of Haskell Indian Nations University from its inception as The United States Indian Industrial Training School in 1884 through present day from Haskell Indigenous and American Indian Studies professor Dr. Eric Anderson. A Q&A with Dr. Anderson will follow the presentation.
Workshop: Beaded Lanyards
Lied Center Seymour Gallery | 2:00PM - 4:00PM
Presenter: Tara Mitchell (Prairie Band Potawatomi)
Create your own beaded lanyard with Potawatomi artist Tara Mitchell. Tara will teach both wrap and peyote stitch styles depending on participant levels of experience.
The participant age requirement is 16+ years. Other ages are welcome to watch and learn. The workshop is limited to 10 participants. Due to limited space, limited to two attendees per registration. If registration is full, festival attendees are welcome to stop by and observe at any time during the workshop.
This workshop is at capacity.
Workshop: Beaded Pouches
Lied Center Conference Room | 2:00PM - 4:00PM
Presenter: Phillip Pursel (Ioway)
Create your own beaded pouch with Ioway artist Phillip Pursel. Phillip will teach both lazy stitch and appliqué beadwork styles depending on participant levels of experience.
All supplies are provided. The participant age requirement is 16+ years. Other ages are welcome to watch and learn. The workshop is limited to 16 participants. Due to limited space, limited to two attendees per registration. If registration is full, festival attendees are welcome to stop by and observe at any time during the workshop.
This workshop is at capacity.
Presentation: Indigenous Arts Initiative Panel - Fabric Appliqué Bags
Lied Center Pavilion | 3:30PM - 4:30PM
Presenter: Mona Cliff (A'aninin/Nakota Nations)
Lawrence-based multidisciplinary artist Mona Cliff will present alongside workshop participants and show off the work they created during a two-day fabric appliqué bag workshop held in November 2025 as part of the Indigenous Arts Initiative (IAI). The IAI is a collaboration between the Kansas Department of Commerce, Kansas Arts Commission, KU Film and Media Studies, Spencer Museum of Art, and Lied Center of Kansas.
Activity: Hand Games
Kemper Lobby | 4:00pm-5:00pm
Presenter: Haskell Hand Game Club
Learn about, watch a demonstration, and play Native American Hand Game with Haskell Indian Nations University’s Hand Game Club. Hand Game is a traditional guessing game that involves hiding objects and guessing their locations and is played by many tribes, especially in the Pacific Northwest.
