Adults at the Mayborn

• Performance by Indigenous ACE (Arts, Culture, and Education), from the Indigenous Cultures Institute in San Antonio features traditional dancers, musicians, and singers plus explanations of traditions. The group includes men, women, and children. This organization is made up of close family and friends that represent several tribes (Saponi, Comanche, Apache, Alabama-Coushatta, Chickasaw, Navajo, Wastec). Program in collaboration with Baylor Theater Arts Department

• Production of The Thanksgiving Play portraying good intentions that collide with absurd assumptions in playwright Larissa FastHorse’s satire about a group of teachers trying to create a representative way to celebrate both Turkey Day and Native American Heritage Month. This program is in collaboration with Waco’s Wild Imaginings Theater Group

• Muscogee-Creek-Native American Artist, Sculptor and Baylor Alumnus, Dan Brook, discusses his work and its connections to and representations of indigenous traditions. Program in collaboration with Baylor Department of Art and Art History

Mayborn Museum partnered with the CenTex Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to host a Community Ofrenda in conjunction with the Hispanic Heritage celebrations throughout Waco. Baylor graduate and local businessman, Eric Linares, was chosen to design the museum’s display. The community is invited to make offerings to honor the life and memory of lost loved ones as part of a celebration of the traditions of Día de los Muertos.

• Dr. Clark Wernecke, Executive Director of the Gault School of Archeological Research explained which indigenous peoples lived in the Central Texas area and how they used the land thousands of years ago in this November lecture. Director of Baylor University Mayborn Museum, Charlie Walter, gave insight into NAGPRA, why it is important, and what the museum has done to honor the indigenous people of our area during this informative lecture.

• Dr. Jacki Thompson Rand, Associate Vice Chancellor for Native American Affairs at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, spoke on her scholarly ventures to contest the oft-quoted adage, “history is written by the victors”. She also discussed her work on the Indigenous women of the Midwest in this presentation.

• Native American items from the Mayborn Museum collection were temporarily displayed in the Cabinets of Curiosities gallery space and included a flyer with additional facts for visitors to learn more about the museum’s cultural items. Program series in collaboration with the Baylor History Department and the Texas Collection.

Marking the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims arriving in the New World, Dr. Julie Anne Sweet, professor of history at Baylor, University presented a lecture explaining why Native peoples take a much different approach to Americans celebrating Thanksgiving.

• Dr. Julie Sweet, Professor of History at Baylor University provided a detailed look at the tragedy of “The Trail of Tears” to showcase the resilience of the Cherokee people in the face of so many adversities in a lecture presented in November 2019.

• Professor and author, Linda Pelon, led a Gallery Talk that focused on the relationship between the Wichita/Waco Indians and a powerful band of Comanches. Places that have been identified as Comanche Traditional Cultural Properties in and around Waco and Cameron Park were highlighted. Program series in collaboration with the Baylor History Department.