Citywide events honor Native American Heritage Month in Eugene

Residents can show support and learn more about Native and Indigenous cultures.

City of Eugene Cultural Services is celebrating Native American Heritage Month this November to honor Native American and Indigenous populations in our region. Throughout the month, community members can participate in a series of curated events, art exhibitions and educational opportunities.

"The month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people," according to the National Congress of American Indians.

The events begin on Nov. 1 with the monthly gathering of Communities of Color and Allies Network, hosted by the Equity and Community Consortium. The free, all-ages event provides community-building and networking opportunities in a relaxed space with free food and refreshments. This month's gathering will focus on acknowledging Native American heritage. The drop-in event runs from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on the first floor of the Atrium Building at 99 W. 10th Ave. in Eugene.

Later in the evening, Eugene Native American Arts & Craft Makers will host its inaugural fashion show with the theme "Futurism Inspired by Tradition." The show is part of Lane Arts Council's First Friday ArtWalk and intends to raise awareness of the Native and Indigenous arts, artists, designers and performers in Eugene and the surrounding region. Nine Native and Indigenous artists and designers from diverse tribal backgrounds will feature works throughout the evening. The opening ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m. with the show starting at 7 p.m. at the Farmers Market Pavilion, 85 E. Eighth Ave.

On Nov. 3, more than 20 Native American and Indigenous artists and crafters from the Eugene-Springfield area will present handcrafted goods for sale to the public. Patrons can show support by shopping for authentic jewelry, beadwork, T-shirts, fine arts, crafts and clothing. The event runs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Farmers Market Pavilion.

Ongoing art installations provide more opportunities to honor Indigenous heritages, including the latest exhibit at City Hall Gallery. "Confluence" features a collection of artworks by regional Native artists spanning a spectrum of mediums and art practices, including traditional basket weavings, wood carvings, paintings, oil on canvas and ink on paper. The exhibition can be viewed 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday until Jan. 12 at City Hall, 500 E. Fourth Ave.

In partnership with Five Oaks Museum in Portland, Cultural Services continues to present "This IS Kalapuyan Land" at the Farmers Market Pavilion. This exhibit opened in 2019 as a physical installation at Five Oaks Museum by guest curator Steph Littlebird Fogel and became an online exhibition in 2020. Fogel annotated panels from the museum's outdated and problematic exhibit on Kalapuyan people, curated contemporary Native artwork into the exhibition and added historical content from Dr. David G. Lewis, a scholar on Western Oregon tribes. The exhibit can be viewed anytime the Farmers Market Pavilion is open to the public.

Throughout the month, community members are encouraged to explore the Kalapuya Talking Stones situated throughout the Whilamut Natural Area of Alton Baker Park and Springfield. The collection of 15 basalt boulders, carved with Yoncalla Kalapuya words, revive Kalapuya language and honor indigenous culture through symbols that reflect the importance of traditional hunting and fishing grounds. A map to the stones' locations can be found at http://www.eugene-or.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3322.

There are many organizations within the city that host their own events for Native American Heritage Month and provide a variety of opportunities for residents to show their support for Indigenous communities. To learn more, visit https://www.eugene-or.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=6811.

Cultural Services provides year-round programming to promote public art and cultural events throughout Eugene. The team is committed to responsible and visionary leadership to support the public's vision for a thriving arts and cultural sector that contributes to the community's social and economic well-being.

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