The University of Nebraska State Museum of Natural History in Morrill Hall presents a free family event, “Celebrating First Peoples,” from 1:30 to 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 gifts from 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 delivered the inaugural Hubbard Lecture Oct. 11 at the Sheldon Museum of Art.
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 Oct. 12, but regular planetarium admission will apply on 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.
