Angel Mounds celebrates Native American Heritage

By Rodney Richardson

Angel Mounds State Historic Site is the place to be on the weekend of September 26, 27, and 28th (2025) for the return of the original Native American Days! The three-day celebration of American Indian heritage that has been on hiatus since 2017 pre-Covid and post Covid years—that ended the 39th year of the popular event, will ignite with its 40th year comeback. Expect to hear the traditional Native sounds of music, singing and dancing will fill the air, transforming the historic site with a festive atmosphere throughout the week-long event—school groups Monday through Thursday followed by the public display of Native American Fine Arts Exhibition which will ‘kick-off” the three-day event. Five well known Native American Artists and Craftsmen will be hosting their exquisite art pieces.

Happening on a daily basis, the Pokagon Band of the Potawatomi will lead the drum circle, and visitors will be invited to join in on the dancing with the Iron Bear Singers. Additionally, children can make their own corn husk dolls and try their hand at archery. Food vendors will be open on Saturday and Sunday, offering visitors samples of delicious traditional foods like fry bread, Indian tacos, baked goods and more. Plus, families can interact with archeologists and other museum system experts and get up close with unique Native American artifacts that share stories of Indiana’s past. Visitors may also interact with Native Americans to learn about their cultures. There will also be a full Indian Market selling craft items, T shirts, and other merchandise to purchase as souvenirs.

Native American Days also offers the chance to visit the updated interpretive center, which demonstrates the multi-facets of the historic site and the spiritual significance the sacred grounds hold for modern Native descendants of the Mississippian era—the Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek, Chickasaw, and Seminoles. Located on the banks of the Ohio River near Evansville, Angel Mounds is one of North America’s best-preserved pre-contact Native American sites. Through the new technological interactive learning tools in the center, guests can learn more about the people from the Mississippian culture who built the 11 earthen mounds throughout the 600-acre site and thrived as a community there from 1100-1450 A.D. Visitors can also discover the mounds’ Astro- connections and how they were created to align with certain celestial events, such as the summer and winter solstices.

A wonderful cultural experience awaits you, your family, and friends. The times and dates are from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Sept.22 to Thursday, Sept. 25 (for visiting school students) and are open to the public Friday, Sept. 26 through Sunday, the 28th. Friday night the Native Art Exhibition will be from 7-9 pm with a 5-dollar admission. Native American Days is free for members and included with admission to Angel Mounds State Historic Site. Admission is $13 for adults, $9 for youth (ages 3-17), and $11 for seniors. For more information and to purchase admission in advance, visit https://www.indianamuseum.org/event/native-american-days/ or call site phone number: 812-853-3956. The location is: 8215 Pollack Ave. Evansville, IN 47715