State Museum's 1st Peoples celebration is Oct. 12; free admission Oct. 11-13

Released on 10/08/2013, at 2:00 AM
Office of University Communications
University of Nebraska–Lincoln

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013

WHERE: University of Nebraska State Museum, Morrill Hall, south of 14th and Vine Streets

Lincoln, Neb., October 8th, 2013 —
"Celebrating First Peoples" (photo: Don Doll, S.J.)

            The University of Nebraska State Museum of Natural History in Morrill Hall, south of 14th and Vine streets on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln City Campus, will present a special free family event, "Celebrating First Peoples" from 1:30-4:30 p.m Oct. 12. In addition, Morrill Hall admission will be free for the entire weekend, Oct. 11-13.

            The First Peoples event and free admission are made possible by generous gifts from Dr. Anne M. Hubbard and the Claire M. Hubbard Foundation. The special weekend celebrates the UNL launch of the new Claire M. Hubbard Lecture Series. Seattle-based author and tribal advocate Gyasi Ross delivers the inaugural Hubbard Lecture at 7 p.m. Oct. 11 in the  Ethel S. Abbott Auditorium at Sheldon Museum of Art, 12th and R Streets.

            The First Peoples celebration continues Oct. 12 with a special family event featuring Native American activities. From 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., Morrill Hall will host storytellers and activity stations where children can try bead work, play games, watch flint knapping and enjoy art and music. Families can also explore a real tipi in Elephant Hall, before everyone joins in a Round Dance at 4 p.m. in Elephant Hall. Attendees are especially encouraged to visit the First Peoples of the Plains Gallery on the third floor, which was renovated in 2011 with funding from Anne Hubbard and the UNL Class of 1987.

            Storytellers will present at the following times: 1:45-2:15 and 3:25-3:45, Phyllis Stone; 2:30-3, Michael Murphy.

            Kathy French, education coordinator for the State Museum, developed the program for the First People's Celebration, together with Valery Killscrow-Copeland, Indian education advocate with Lincoln Public Schools, and Mark Awakuni-Swetland, associate professor of anthropology and ethnic studies at UNL.

            The museum's Friday and Saturday hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sunday hours are 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Admission to shows in Mueller Planetarium in Morrill Hall will be free on Saturday, Oct. 11, but regular Planetarium admission will apply on Sunday, Oct. 13. Scheduled shows are "A Planet for Goldilocks" at 2 p.m. and "Dinosaurs at Dusk" at 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Writer: Deann Gayman

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