CULTURE

Indian Summer is a focal point for American Indians and the organizations that represent them. We provide space for education displays, exhibits, and presentations that focus on American Indian culture to increase visibility, public awareness, and understanding of the diverse cultures of the American Indian and their communities.


Cultural Demonstrators American Indian artisans demonstrate traditional bead work, finger weaving, pottery, carving, basket weaving, horsehair art, bow and arrow making and rug weaving. Observers and participants share in the American Indian history and culture.

Cultural Demonstrators

Visit the Natural Path Area which features traditional American Indian healing methods and herbs. Ongoing presentations are provided all weekend with herbs for sale.

Photo Exhibit –With Growing Pride for the past several years, as a tribute to veterans, Indian Summer Festival has been displaying pictures of American Indian veterans and those who are currently serving in one of the Armed Forces. We want to continue the display each year and want it to grow. Although we have a good start, we need friends and families or individuals to help us by sending in a photo of their soldier or themselves. The photo should be of the person in uniform and include the following information: Name, branch of service, years or era of service, Tribe/nation. If possible, we would like a 5 X 7. Smaller photos do not copy as well. The photo would become the property of the Indian Summer Festival.

We invite each and everyone to come to the festival and find the photos of their friends and family.

We are also requesting photos of American Indian fire fighters, police, and Emergency Medical Technicians to expand our tribute to the first response personnel in our communities.
Please send the photo and information to:

Indian Summer Festival 10809 W. Lincoln Ave., Ste 101 Milwaukee, WI 53214 Attn: Diane Amour

Prayer Ceremony We celebrate the Sounds of Creation to human kind. Guest speaker, Waubeno, of the Menominee Nation, shares these gifts in story, dance, and song.

The non-denominational Prayer Ceremony begins at 10:00 am, Sunday, September 9, in the Potawatomi Pavilion. The ceremony offers the experience of many tribal ways of worship, from Woodland, to Plains, to the Southwest. Indian Summer Festivals Inc. and the Siggenauk Interfaith Spiritual Center invite you to come join the circle and pray with us by attending this moving ceremony.

All attending will be admitted to the festival, free of charge, immediately following the ceremony. Enter at the north gate, on Harbor Dr. The gate opens a 9:00 am.

Villages Come to visit Indian Summer’s villages with a curiosity and interest in American Indians. Expose yourself to the various tribal languages, stories, dancing, singing, and material culture of woodland and plains tribes amid the wigwams, longhouses, and teepees. Leave with a better understanding and a memorable firsthand experience.