Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum

Little Ones Story Time
2026-02-23 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-03-09 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-03-23 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-04-06 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-04-20 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-05-04 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-05-18 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-06-01 10:30 - 11:00 (America/Chicago) and 2 more dates | Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum, 3001 Central Street, Evanston, IL, 60201, United States
Come join us for story time!
We will start each session with board books for toddlers, followed by a little movement and music. All of our books are written by Native authors.
The program is FREE for participants. We are excited to see you there!

Maple Syrup Tasting
2026-03-23 15:00 - 16:00
March is for maple season!
Join us in the Gichigamiin Library for a small flight of maple syrups to compare artificial and natural ingredients together with mini dipping pancakes. Our garden manager, Camille Billie, will also share a presentation on the health benefits of syrups that come from tree sap alongside tree tapping practices to harvest and make your own maple syrup. We apologize, but our program list is full. Stay tuned for future garden programs!
For more info about this program, please contact Camille at camille.billie@gichigamiin.org

March Free Day
2026-03-25 10:00 - 17:00
Join us for a day of free admission at Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum on Wednesday, March 25th, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Our monthly Museum Free Days will now include Indigenous Artists Pop-Up Markets! Each month, visit and shop with different local Indigenous artists.
Booth spots are limited, please contact Josee at jstarr@gichigamiin.org to reserve your spot.

April Free Day
2026-04-03 10:00 - 17:00
Join us for a day of free admission at Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum on Friday, April 3rd, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Our monthly Museum Free Days will now include Indigenous Artists Pop-Up Markets! Each month, visit and shop with different local Indigenous artists.
Booth spots are limited, please contact Josee at jstarr@gichigamiin.org to reserve your spot.

Teacher Focus Group
2026-04-08 16:30 - 18:00
We are developing new field trip programming for elementary school groups in preparation for the 2026-2027 school year. As part of that process, we would love to get input from elementary school teachers. We have scheduled a focus group at the museum (3001 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201) at 4:30 PM on Wednesday, April 8th. If you teach students anywhere from pre-K to sixth grade and would like to be involved, please RSVP. We will be closing the form for RSVPs on Monday, April 6th.
Light snacks and refreshments will be available.

For more info about this program, please contact Michael at mlamble@gichigamiin.org | (847) 475-0911

May Free Day
2026-05-06 10:00 - 17:00
Join us for a day of free admission at Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum on Wednesday, May 6th, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Our monthly Museum Free Days will now include Indigenous Artists Pop-Up Markets! Each month, visit and shop with different local Indigenous artists.
Booth spots are limited, please contact Josee at jstarr@gichigamiin.org to reserve your spot.

June Free Day
2026-06-17 10:00 - 17:00
Join us for a day of free admission at Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum on Wednesday, June 17th, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Our monthly Museum Free Days will now include Indigenous Artists Pop-Up Markets! Each month, visit and shop with different local Indigenous artists.
Booth spots are limited, please contact Josee at jstarr@gichigamiin.org to reserve your spot.

Family Day 2026
2026-09-12 10:00 - 15:00
Join us for an afternoon of family crafts, storytelling, shop at our Artists Alley, enjoy live music, and so much more!

Throughout the event you can visit info booths to learn more about other incredible work being done by our partnering organizations. Visit our Artists Alley to shop at a handful of Native artists booths, enjoy live music, and visit our ongoing exhibits. This event will have something for everyone. Limited parking is available along Central Street and the parking lot behind the museum.

Full event details coming soon!

Schedule of Events
Museum Activities
All day crafts and coloring pages for the kids and families on the 2nd floor.
Join the Evanston Ecology Center for a Critter Visit! Meet live animals up close, as we learn about each animal’s unique adaptations, the senses that they use, the groups they belong to, and the important roles that they play in their habitats.
Cynthia Thomas (Oneida Nation of Wisconsin) will be leading an air-dry clay turtle art workshop for all ages!
Cynthia is a Pottery/Ceramic Artist who earned her Bachelors degree is Art and went on to earn a Masters degree in Secondary Education. In addition to be a successful artist, Cynthia has gained 20 years teaching experience.

Sunny Webster (Oneida) will be leading a workshop on creating resin birchbark earrings.
12pm: Music by Mark Jourdan!
Mark Jourdan (Oneida/Ho-Chunk) is a singer/songwriter based out of Chicago, Illinois. He is a Native American of the Ho-Chunk and Oneida nations. Growing up in Chicago, he spent his summers and weekends traveling the Midwest and Canada and going to Pow Wows with his family. Music has always played a big part of his life and driving across the country with his family made the radio and cassette players as much a part of the family as his siblings. His father took him to see B.B. King when he was 16, where he had his first experience of what it meant to “own a room.” He then took a break from guitar and music to try graphic art with the hopes of becoming an art teacher. Ultimately, he made his way home to music and he couldn’t be happier to have found a place where he can express feeling in a way that his graphic arts were, without him realizing it, leading him to. Today, he chases dreams. He’s catching a few too. “To infinity and beyond…” facebook ; youtube.com
1:00 – 1:30pm Three Sisters Yoga: Move, Nourish, Grow
Join us for a special yoga session inspired by the Three Sisters – corn, beans, and squash – symbolizing growth, connection, and support. This all-levels practice blends mindful movement, breathwork, and reflection to cultivate resilience and community. Come as you are and leave feeling rooted, restored, and connected.
Jenn Michals is an enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and a descendant of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. She is a certified yoga (RYT 200) and meditation instructor who creates healing spaces grounded in Indigenous teachings, breath, and gentle movement. Her classes center wellness, connection, and cultural reclamation through mindful practice.
2:00 – 3:00pm Planter Decorating
Join our Garden Manager, Camille, for a planter decorating workshop and take home a native plant alongside info about gardening with native plants!
This workshop is limited to 25 participants and is on a first come first serve basis.
3009 Building
Visit the Aloha Center of Chicago and learn about their work and the programs they offer! They will be offering kids craft activities and live music throughout the day. Learn more here https://yourplanbproductions.com/gmiintest/alohacenterchicago/

Artist Alley
Located outside the museum in our parking lot, visit info booths and Native artist booths!
Le’Ana Asher Studios LLC
Prints, cards, miniature originals
www.leanaAsher.com
Moonflower Beadwork
Beadwork, earrings, keychains
ig: @moonflowerbeadwork
Zani Beauty Studio
Native American owned beauty studio in South Loop Chicago offering holistic skin care, healing and empowerment.
https://zani.glossgenius.com/
Hinano by Design
Art prints, Paintings
ig: @hinanobydesign
Face Painting by V
Face painting for everyone
Amawa Cultural Center
Handmade decorative llamas, blankets, and jewelry.
ig: @amawaculturalcenter
Aloha Eats

Hawaiian Restaurant

Local #Hawaiian plate lunch in Chicago since 2004. 🤙🏽
https://www.alohaeats.com/
Kohl Children’s Museum

Kohl Children’s Museum of Greater Chicago offers interactive exhibits for children ages birth to 8, designed to nurture a love of learning.

https://www.kohlchildrensmuseum.org/
Lanialoha Lee – Pacific Soundz Productions – (Native Hawaiian)
My continuing work as a professional performing artist in music and dance encompassed chanting, vocal work, instrumentation characteristic to both Western and Pacific Island cultural arts, and production. Throughout my career, I’ve taught thousands of `ukulele, hula, and Tahitian drum students, enhancing my curriculum and cultivating a new generation of artists with a refined sensitivity to the culture bridging the Midwest to the islands through shared repertoire. As a Midwest-based Native Hawaiian, I continue to preserve, perpetuate, and protect Pacific Island cultural arts. I hope an appreciation will develop and augment the cultural literacy of those less familiar with the mesmerizing rhythms of music, dance, and poetic text of the South Pacific islands.
All Day – Artist Alley
Located outside the museum in our parking lot, visit info booths, Native artist booths, and Food will be available for sale during the event.
Indigenous Artist booths
Sunset Kwe Designs
We are an Indigenous women owned business creating fun and expressive apparel, bags and accessories mixed with ribbon skirts and beadwork. https://sunset-kwe-designs.square.site/
ChaChaBeads
IG: chachabeads_
Author Maria Des Jarlait
Meet the author after her story time from 10-11am in the library!
Atika’s Medicine
I’m Not A Costume
Indigenous Foods
Native American Foods and Fox Way Catering
Food will be available for purchase from Fox Way Catering, including: Fry Bread, Indian Tacos, Veggie Tacos, and beverages.
Info Booths
California Indian Manpower Consortium, Inc. – Chicago Branch Office
Burton Snowboards
The City of Evanston has set aside $3 Million for community members to decide how to spend through a process called Participatory Budgeting. Community members can register now to vote during the whole month of September. PB staff and volunteers will be at Family Day to tell people about proposals and help them register to vote.
For more information about this program, please contact: info@gichigamiin.org | (847) 475-0911.

Indigenous Peoples' Day
2026-10-12
Indigenous Peoples’ Day honors the culture and history of Native people past, present, and future. Join us at Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum to celebrate the diversity and vibrancy of Indigenous cultures with FREE admission to the museum all day. Bring your friends and your family to enrich your understanding of Indigenous histories and cultures and enjoy guided craft activities.
Full schedule of events coming soon!

For more information about this program, please contact: info@gichigamiin.org | (847) 475-0911
Adam Kessel (Lakota)
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
We are thrilled to have local Indigenous author, educator, naturalist, and Director of the Trailside Museum of Natural History, Adam Kessell (Lakota), who will provide hands-on activities for visitors to touch animal pelts and skulls and learn about regional wildlife and their names in English, Spanish and local Native languages.
Guided Tour
Our wonderful docent Laura will lead a 60 minute tour of our exhibit “A Regional Tour of American Indian Cultures“

11:00 AM
2:00 PM

All Day Craft Activities
Our wonderful volunteer Miriam will be leading arts & crafts activities in the library from 10am-4:30pm.
Indigenous Artists
Sundri Beadwork, LLC
Sundri Beadwork, LLC is a Native owned and operated business in Chicago from the Oneida Nation reservation. https://sundribeadwork.com/
ChaChaBeads
IG: chachabeads_
Fox Way Designs
Fox Way Designs is a Native owned family business representing Odawa, Omaha and Arikara tribes. https://www.facebook.com/FoxWayDesigns/

November Free Day
2026-11-25 10:00 - 17:00
Join us for a day of free admission at Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum on Wednesday, November 25th, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
This Free Day was generously sponsored by Josina Morita, Cook County Commissioner, 13th District and Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, State Representative, 17th District.
Our monthly Museum Free Days will now include Indigenous Artists Pop-Up Markets! Each month, visit and shop with different local Indigenous artists.
Booth spots are limited, please contact Josee at jstarr@gichigamiin.org to reserve your spot.

Dagwaagin (Fall) Artist Market - Small Business Saturday
2026-11-28 10:00 - 15:00
Save the Date for our Dagwaagin (Fall) Artist Market – Small Business Saturday
This program honors Native American entrepreneurs and brings together innovative Native artists, business owners, leaders, and creators with community members, buyers, and potential clients. Participating Indigenous artists and entrepreneurs will have the chance to share their arts and crafts, contributions, accomplishments, and professional services with the public, allowing guests to support these Indigenous-owned companies by purchasing items or fostering future business opportunities.
Admission is FREE

Native Artists and Small Businesses
Start your holiday shopping early and show your support for local Native American Small Businesses this Small Business Saturday.
My Ribbon Closet
Ribbon skirts / shirts / jewelry and accessories
Shikaakwa Press
Beaded jewelry, ribbon skirts, quill work, birchbark art
https://hoogstratenphotography.com/
Art by Ruthanne
dentalium chokers, necklaces, beaded earrings, dentalium/capiz earrings, stickers, prints.
https://www.artbyruthanne.org/
Gawaapi
Art, t-shirts, jewelry, and crafts
Gawaapi
Scott Hill
Original paintings, prints, stone sculptures.
Scott Hill
Mangogwan (Loon Feather)
Handmade beaded Jewelry
Livloves Beading
Handmade Jewelry
Livlovesbeading
Auntie Eva’s Body Products
Salve, lotion, Essential rollerballs, and natural body products. Also handmade jewelry.
Auntie Eva’s
Tricia Renee Kucinski Author
Signed books, bookmarks, and stickers
Vendor list is now full! We have started a waitlist and will call in order the submissions are received. Please fill out the form, thank you!

For more information about this program, please contact:
Josee Starr | jstarr@gichigamiin.org | (847) 475-0911

December Free Day
2026-12-30 10:00 - 17:00
Join us for a day of free admission at Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum on Wednesday, December 30th, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Our monthly Museum Free Days will now include Indigenous Artists Pop-Up Markets! Each month, visit and shop with different local Indigenous artists.
Booth spots are limited, please contact Josee at jstarr@gichigamiin.org to reserve your spot.
