Join the North Carolina Museum of History Saturday, November 18, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., for the American Indian Heritage Celebration. The annual celebration, now in its 28th year, brings together members of all eight state-recognized tribes for a day of demonstrations, presentations and performances that highlight the traditional and contemporary artistic, historical and cultural contributions of American Indians in North Carolina.
The museum will kick off the weekend with a free virtual Education Day on Friday, November 17, 2023, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Students, teachers and lifelong learners are invited to celebrate the richness and diversity of North Carolina’s American Indian community. Enjoy a variety of free presentations, including a LIVE! dancing and drumming demonstration.
On Saturday, the celebration of American Indian history and culture continues as visitors are invited to explore the rich Indigenous heritage that exists within our state. We encourage visitors to dive into American Indian experiences and learn from Indigenous cultures, knowledge and traditions, and examine how these communities impacted both history and modern culture.
The festival will begin with the sound of drums, vocal performances and flute songs during the Grand Entry. The eight state-recognized tribes will move through Bicentennial Plaza, proudly displaying their unique regalia, dances and other traditions. Dance and vocal performances will continue through the day on the plaza.
After the Grand Entry, visitors can frequent booths throughout the North Carolina Museum of History, discovering demonstrations, artistry and knowledge at every turn.
There will be plenty of ways to engage, from hands-on activities for children, such as a game with corncob darts, to lectures and classroom sessions that allow a deeper dive into knowledge and traditions.
Native-owned food trucks will be on-site, so visitors can enjoy classic American Indian treats and more.
Guests also are encouraged to purchase creations from select artists and vendors.
To explore the entire schedule of events, visit NC-AIHC.com.
Community Partners:
North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs and the North Carolina American Indian Heritage Commission
Sponsors:
City of Raleigh Arts Commission, Food Lion, BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina, Crumley Roberts Attorneys at Law, Duke Energy, PNC Bank , Red Hat, Siemens Healthineers, Triangle Native American Society, Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, Chiesi, Carolina Complete Health, Metcon, Lumbee Guaranty Bank, North State Bank and WakeMed
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About the N.C. Museum of History
The North Carolina Museum of History, a Smithsonian Affiliate, fosters a passion for North Carolina history. This museum collects and preserves artifacts of state history and educates the public on the history of the state and the nation through exhibits and educational programs. Admission is free. In 2022, more than 274,000 people visited the museum to see some of the 150,000 artifacts in the museum collection. The Museum of History, within the Division of State History Museums, is part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
About the Smithsonian Affiliations Network
Since 2006, the North Carolina Museum of History has been a Smithsonian Affiliate, part of a select group of museums and cultural, educational and arts organizations that share Smithsonian resources with the nation. The Smithsonian Affiliations network is a national outreach program that develops long-term collaborative partnerships with museums and other educational and cultural organizations to enrich communities with Smithsonian resources. More information is available at affiliations.si.edu.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.
The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the N.C. Zoo, the N.C. Symphony, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.