Indigenous Cultures Festival
April 2, 2025
Liberty Hall | 7:00 pm
Film Screening - Fancy Dance
Run time 1hr 31 min.
Directed by Erica Tremblay
Following her sister’s disappearance, Jax (Lily Gladstone) and her niece Roki must stick together. Desperate to keep what’s left of their family intact, Jax and Roki defy the law and hit the road on a journey to the Grand Nation Powwow in Oklahoma City.
Sponsored by The Commons, University of Kansas.
Panel Discussion on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) Following Fancy Dance Screening
Panelist: TBA
After the screening of Fancy Dance, a thought-provoking film exploring themes of family, identity, and the experiences of Indigenous women, the panel discussion will dive into the critical issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) and relatives.
Sponsored by The School of Social Welfare, University of Kansas.
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
April 10, 2025
Lawrence Arts Center Black Box | 7:00 pm
Short Films Showcase by Kyle Bell
Directed by Kyle Bell
Emmy award winning Director, Editor and Cinematographer Kyle Bell (Thlopthlocco Creek Tribal Town) will showcase some of his short films for the general public. 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, 2025
Lied Center of Kansas | 7:30 pm
Digging Roots
Juno Award-winning duo blending folk, roots, blues and Indigenous musical styles
Winner of the 2023 Canadian Juno Award for Contemporary Indigenous Group of the Year, Digging Roots breathes life into songs from their land, Turtle Island, to raise their voices in solidarity with a global chorus of Indigenous artists, activists and change-makers.
$25 Adult - $14 Student/Youth
For more information: Digging Roots | Lied Center of Kansas
April 12, 2025
Lied Center of Kansas | 1600 Stewart Drive, Lawrence KS 66045
Tipi Raising
Outdoor Activity Station | 9:00 am
Observe the raising of the KU tipi on the lawn of the Lied Center of Kansas.
Presentation: Powwow 101
Lied Center Pavilion | 10:00 am
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: Indigenous Children's Language & Literacy
Outdoor Activity Station | 12:00 pm
Indigenous children's language & literacy activities, including children’s books written by Native authors, coloring pages, and sidewalk chalk. Hosted by KU Dr. Gillispie and the Department of Speech-Language-Hearing: Sciences & Disorder.
Activity: Inflatable Cherokee Basket Weaving
Outdoor Activity Station | 1:00 pm–5:30 pm
Cherokee basket weaver, Lisa LaRue-Baker, will bring an oversized, inflatable basket structure and allow community members including families with children an opportunity to learn the basics of basket weaving with this hands-on activity.
Presentation: TBA
Lied Center Pavilion | Time TBA
Description - TBA
Workshop: Pine Needle Basket Weaving
Lied Center Seymour Gallery | 1:30 pm-3:30 pm
Featuring Amy June Breesman (Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma)
Participate in an introductory-level pine needle basket making workshop, supplies provided. There will also be a tutorial and time to start your own basket-making project.
The participant age requirement is 12 years +. Other ages are welcome to watch and learn from the artist.
Due to limited space, limited to two attendees per registration. Limit 15 participants. Sign Up - TBA
Workshop: Cherokee Basket Weaving
Lied Conference Room | 3:30 pm–5:30 pm
Featuring Lisa LaRue-Baker (Cherokee Nation)
Participate in an introductory-level basket weaving workshop with Cherokee artist, Lisa LaRue-Baker. There will be a tutorial and time to begin your own basket weaving projects. All supplies provided.
The participant age requirement is 16+ years.
Due to the level of one-on-one attention needed, this workshop is limited to 8 participants and two attendees per registration. Sign Up - TBA
Research: Haskell and KU Student Scholarship Showcase
Lied Center Stage | 12:00 pm–5:30 pm
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 from 2:00 – 3:30PM to talk about their work.
Apply HERE
Panel: Ledger Art
Lied Center Pavilion | 2:30 pm
Presenters: Chris Pappan & IAI workshop participants
Join artist Chris Pappan (Kanza, Lakota, Osage) and participants in his Indigenous Arts initiative Low Brow and Ledger Art workshop as they share the artwork they created and things they learned during the two-day workshop in November.
Panel: Short Documentary Storytelling
Lied Center Pavilion | 4:00 pm
Presenters: Kyle Bell & IAI workshop participants
Join filmmaker Kyle Bell (Thlopthlocco Creek Tribal Town) and participants in his Indigenous Arts Initiative Short Documentary Storytelling workshop as they screen the short films they created and talk about their experiences.
