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Native Heritage Celebration

Name: Native Heritage Celebration
Start: 2025-09-26T17:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-09-26T17:00:00-05:00
Location: Peck Pavilion

Wisconsin has one of the largest concentrations of Native American Tribes east of the Mississippi River, and each has a distinct culture and rich heritage. To celebrate and honor this rich history and culture, the Marcus Performing Arts Center will present its inaugural Native Heritage Celebration on Friday, September 26, 2025.

Through this celebration, attendees will learn about the culture and heritage of the various tribes of Wisconsin through a variety of offerings including traditional smudging, youth drumming, a panel discussion, and a “Living Village” with artifacts and traditions specific to several individual tribes.

The Native Heritage Celebration is free and open to the public.

Schedule of Events

10:30 – 11:30 AM: Supaman - Student Matinee for Students

11:30 AM – 1:00 PM: Living Village Tours Open for Students

2:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Living Village Open to Public

5:00 PM: Program Begins in Peck Pavilion

Traditional smudging, youth drumming, panel discussions, performance from Wisconsin Tribes, and more

Following the program, there will be a reception on the Outdoor Grounds.

Living Village Participants

Kimberly Crowley, Black Ash Basket Maker (Ho-Chunk Nation)

Marin Webster Denning of the Oneida Nation

Rachel Jeske, “The Moccasin Lady"

“All Bead Up,” Menominee, Oneida & Sioux Nation beadwork artists

Mariah Skenandore, Indigenous artist and designer

Waking Women Healing Institute

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Native Student Services

Milwaukee Public Museum

Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center

Southeastern Oneida Tribal Services

Committee Members

Averie Anderson (Menominee & Oneida Nations of Wisconsin), Milwaukee Turners

Dr. Brad Kroupa (Arikara), Forest County Potawatomi Foundation

Tracie Sparks (Oneida Nation of Wisconsin), Kunik

Dan Terrio (Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans), Milwaukee County

Tashina Williams (Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans), Potawatomi Hotel & Casino

About Supaman

As a member of the Apsáalooke Nation, Supaman makes his home on Apsáalooke lands in Montana. “Supaman” is Christian Takes Gun Parrish, a Native American dancer and innovative hip hop artist who has dedicated his life to empowering others and spreading messages of hope, pride, and resilience through his original art form.

He is the recipient of the 2017 MTV VMA Award for “Best Fight Against the System” and is also a Native American Music Award (NAMMY) winner, North American Indigenous Image Award winner, and seven-time Tunney Award winner. He received the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Award in Canada for Best Video, as well as awards for Best Hip Hop Album and Best Producer for the Indigenous Music Awards.

Supaman's videos have received millions of views on YouTube and Facebook, leading to extensive tours throughout the U.S. and internationally. He is currently on tour across the country, sharing the good medicine of resiliency, love, laughter, and inclusion.

His one-of-a-kind presentation blends Native culture, comedy, and urban hip hop in a way that dazzles audiences and captivates listeners. For this, he has earned the respect of his community and his generation. With communicative talent and compassion flowing through his music, Supaman connects with people from all walks of life. His ability to motivate, encourage, and inspire through dance and hip hop keeps him at the forefront of his field and provides a powerful platform to educate on Indigenous issues.

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