Celebrating Native American Heritage Month in Madison (2025)
Mary Cait McManamon
Article originally published November 2024 | Updated October 2025
November is National Native American Heritage Month. It’s a time to honor and recognize the rich traditions, history and contributions of Native communities across the country. Here are some meaningful ways you can celebrate and engage with National Native American Heritage Month right here in Madison.
Learn about Indigenous history and the First Nations of Wisconsin
Wisconsin is home to 12 Indigenous tribes, including the Ho-Chunk, who call Madison home. Learning about the history and culture of these First Nations fosters a deeper appreciation for their contributions. You can find information on Indigenous history and culture on the Wisconsin Historical Society’s website or explore the Wisconsin First Nations and Ho-Chunk Nation websites.
Support Native makers and small businesses
Checking out local and regional Indigenous small businesses is a great way to celebrate National Native American Heritage Month. You can find many Indigenous businesses throughout Wisconsin on Travel Wisconsin’s website. Shop online or support these businesses and products locally. Here are a few examples.
Blue Bear Studio was opened by Christoper Sweet in 2021 as his creative space, a gallery to share his artwork and a gift shop with a variety of offerings. He offers beautiful original paintings, prints, notecards, tote bags and other quality items at various price points. Sweet’s show “Healing Journeys: Heritage and Resistance” was featured in Overture’s Winter Exhibition during our 2022/23 season.
Firefly Ceramic Art is run by MicahMarie McCann. Her handmade ceramics are hand glazed with original textures and designs, making her products unique and functional.
Copper Crow Distillery is proud to be the first Indigenous distiller in North America, crafting 10 award-winning spirits at their distillery in Bayfield, Wis. If you’re not up for a road trip, you can try their spirits at My Tipsy Gypsy (part of the Hop Garden) in Paoli.
Little Eagle Arts Foundation (LEAF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting American Indian art by cultivating the entrepreneurial spirit of American Indian/First Nations artists in order to achieve success and promote a cycle of economic security.
Read or watch Indigenous stories
Diving into stories by Indigenous authors offers valuable perspectives and deepens your understanding of Native experiences. Madison's libraries and local bookstores often feature collections by celebrated Native writers. Reading their works provides a powerful connection to Indigenous storytelling traditions, history and contemporary themes. Madison Library also has Native American and Indigenous Book Lists for adults, children and teens.
Films are another wonderful way to experience Native stories. A perfect example is “Bad River,” a documentary film chronicling the Wisconsin-based Bad River Band and its ongoing fight for sovereignty. The story unfolds in a groundbreaking way through a series of shocking revelations, devastating losses and a powerful legacy of defiance and resilience, which includes a David vs. Goliath battle to save Lake Superior, the largest freshwater resource in America. The film is now streaming on Peacock, or you can find local screening events on the “Bad River” website.
Miceala Salas, tribal liaison with Madison College, worked closely with Overture’s Equity & Innovation, Event and Production teams to bring the “Bad River” documentary film to Overture Center in 2023.
Take in Native art
Art is an essential part of Native heritage, embodying stories, traditions and expressions of identity. Madison is fortunate to have various exhibits and installations highlighting the works of Indigenous artists year-round.
The 2025 Native Art Market, founded and curated by Dakota Mace and Paige Skenandore, will take place at Arts + Literature Laboratory on Saturday, November 8, 2025, from 10am-6pm. In addition to the all-day market, workshops and other special events will be scheduled in the weeks around the market, including a free performance by Bizhiki on Sunday, November 9, 2025 at 7pm.
Over 40 Native artists will share and sell their work throughout the galleries and education studio. Their work will span a wide range of traditional and contemporary art forms including Indigenous beadwork, quillwork, weaving, leather work, metals, basketry, clothing and more.
You can also visit Overture's Gallery III to see Madison artist Sarah McRae's work on display. Inspired by childhood adventures, Ojibwe beadwork and the stories carried through time, her work blends joy with meaning.
More events to celebrate
Indigenous Heritage Celebration - Thursday, November 6, 5pm – 8pm
Join Madison Children’s Museum for a free celebration featuring food, music, art and dance representing Indigenous traditions across the world.
At Overture Center, we will continue to celebrate the rich traditions, heritage and culture that thrived long before our arrival. These activities are just a few ways to celebrate National Native American Heritage Month and show respect for the Indigenous people who have called this region home for generations. We hope you take time this month and all year long, to connect, learn and appreciate the vibrant heritage that enriches Madison and Wisconsin’s cultural landscape.