Nelson festival puts Native community front and center
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Traditional dance. Photo: Courtesy of the Nelson-Atkins
The Nelson-Atkins will turn its galleries and lawn into a gathering space this Sunday during its free Native American Cultural Festival.
Why it matters: The goal is to present Native art as a living practice, not something confined to history, museum curator Tahnee Ahtone tells Axios.
- "There are times that we are seen as historical figures," Ahtone says. "This is a way for us to establish that presence and say that we're still here."
State of play: She says the festival participation has grown in recent years due to greater interest in the culture. It's increasingly shaped by Native American residents in KC, including families connected to institutions like Haskell Indian Nations University.
- "It's really important to understand that there is a thriving community at large here in KC," she says.
- KC is home to a small intertribal Native American population, including residents affiliated with more than 575 federally recognized tribes nationwide.
Zoom in: The festival runs from 10am to 4pm throughout the Nelson-Atkins.
- Dance performances in Kirkwood Hall will be backed by the Bad War Cloud drum group, with a grand entry led by the Haskell Indian Nations University Veterans Color Guard.
- Visitors can also try weaving on a loom, watch beadwork demonstrations by Patricia Nelson of Standing Rock and take part in small art activities throughout the museum.
What they're saying: Ahtone, who is the great-granddaughter of an artist represented in the museum's Native American collection, says the festival intentionally connects performance to objects in the galleries.
- "It's not just the tangible object within a case. "These art forms are made with purpose."
If you go: The event is free, but you can pre-register online