Honor. Learn. Support: Native American Heritage Month in Wisconsin

November is Native American Heritage Month—a dedicated time to celebrate the diverse cultures, histories, and resilience of Native peoples and to honor the significant contributions they continue to make to our communities.

This month—and all year long—there are countless ways for everyone in Wisconsin to celebrate and support Indigenous peoples. You can show your support by:

  • Attending an educational or culturally enriching event in your area
  • Supporting Native American-owned businesses
  • Educating yourself and your family about Native American history
  • Planning a visit to a tribal cultural center, library, or museum

Tribal Cultural Centers and Museums

Families can visit museums and cultural centers operated by Tribal Nations to learn about their unique stories, languages, customs, traditions, and histories.

  • Moka’aangiizisiban Tribal Museum (Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa)
    • About: Opened in 2024, this new museum features the inaugural exhibit, “Mashkiigokaang Dibaajimowinan: Stories of the Sloughs,” which preserves and shares the stories, traditions, and connections the Bad River people maintain to the culturally and environmentally important Kakagon Sloughs (where they harvest wild rice).
    • Location: 72720 Maple Street, Odanah, WI
    • Hours: Open several weekdays (e.g., Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, 10:00 am–2:30 pm), but it is recommended to check the official website for the most current schedule.

Additional Educational & Cultural Centers

  • Oneida Nation Museum
    • About: Located near Green Bay, the museum offers a glimpse into Oneida and Iroquois culture, history, and nationhood. The site features hands-on areas, original Iroquois artwork, and nature trails.
    • Location: W892 Cty Hwy EE, De Pere, WI 54115
  • George W. Brown Jr. Ojibwe Museum & Cultural Center (Lac Du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa)
    • About: This center offers one of the most complete collections of Lac Du Flambeau history, seasonal workshops, and interactive exhibits, including a world-record sturgeon.
    • Location: 603 Peace Pipe Rd, Lac du Flambeau, WI
  • Menominee Cultural Museum and Logging Camp Museum (Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin)
    • About: The cultural museum provides a deep dive into the Menominee’s over 10,000 years of existence in the area. The Logging Camp Museum (typically open May through October) showcases the tribe’s long history of sustainable forestry.
    • Location: Keshena, WI
  • Forest County Potawatomi Cultural Center, Library & Museum
    • About: Created to educate the public about the Potawatomi. The Potawatomi call themselves the “Keepers of the Fire” and were the first American Indian nation to use wind power for all their electricity.
    • Location: Crandon, WI
  • Arvid E. Miller Memorial Library and Museum (Stockbridge-Munsee Community Band of Mohican Indians)
    • Location: Bowler, WI

Educational Resources

In addition to visiting physical sites, you can deepen your understanding by reading books by Indigenous authors or watching documentaries that provide valuable perspectives on Tribal Nation experiences, cultural practices, and storytelling traditions.

Recommended Viewing

PBS Wisconsin Tribal Histories series: Tribal Histories | Watch on PBS Wisconsin

This month —and every month —we celebrate the diverse histories, cultures, and achievements of the Tribal Nations.

Recommended Resources

From the Resource Library

Learn in the Champion Classrooms

Additional Resources