Indigenous Peoples' Day

Visit MPM to celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day with special programming and educational resources that highlight Indigenous cultures, traditions, and history.

 
DATE AND TIME

October 13, 2025
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

FREE with general admission.

SPECIAL PERFORMANCES
Mexico Indigena
México Indígena, 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Dance and drum rhythms native to the Aztecs

Powwow Dancer
Little Priest Singers, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Ho-Chunk drum group with powwow dances

School Opportunity: Learn with an Expert

From 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., join us for a special interactive session with opportunities to ask the above performers questions. This will be offered in-person at MPM but will also be livestreamed.

The in-person program is FREE with admission; space is limited. To reserve your spots, please complete our field trip request form and mention you’d like to book Learn with an Expert in the notes section.

Field Trip Request

The virtual livestream is also FREE; registration is required:

Register Your Class

Curator Chats

MPM’s Curator of Anthropology Dawn Scher Thomae will be on the Second Floor from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to chat about ongoing Anthropology projects and initiatives at MPM.

BONUS ONSITE LEARNING

MPM Educators will be on the exhibit floors to engage visitors in learning opportunities and hands-on activities about the following topics:

Milwaukee Latino History

Latinos are one of the largest cultural groups to call Milwaukee home and have a rich history throughout Wisconsin. Look back at 150 years of Latino history and how the communities continue to shape the city.

Zelia Nuttall

Discover the life of Mexican-American archaeologist and anthropologist Zelia Nuttall, and through her work, immerse yourself in the world of ancient Mesoamerican civilizations!

White Corn

White corn is a type of corn grown by the Oneida people that has more protein, larger kernels, larger cobs, and a different appearance than yellow corn. Learn more about white corn, corn’s significance in the Americas, and how the Oneida cultivated white corn to what it is today.

Manoomin 

Manoomin, or wild rice, has long been an essential staple in many Indigenous cultures and communities. Learn more about the food that grows on water, how it is harvested and prepared, and the work that is being done to preserve manoomin for future generations.

Ofrenda

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a multi-cultural celebration, is a day to celebrate and remember those who have departed. Visit our First Floor to view an authentic display of a traditional ofrenda (altar) and learn more about this pre-Hispanic tradition.

Craft Station

Cempasúchil is the Aztec name for the marigold flower, which has great significance to Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Learn about its importance and create your own at this craft station!