Boeing Native American Culture Series

The first event in the Boeing Native American Culture Series, presented by, Employees Community Fund of Boeing and Cahokia Mounds Museum Society will take place October 15 at 2 pm.

Through personal stories and family photographs, Erin Kelley, an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation and direct descendant of noted Shawnee leader, Tecumseh, shares her experiences growing up in a multi-cultural family, in her theatrical performance Portrait of My People.  She offers not only a personal glimpse into Shawnee and Cherokee history, but a look at the rich identity of contemporary Native Americans.  Native people are often talked about in the past tense.  However, they continue their long history of substantial social and cultural contributions well into the twenty-first century.   Portrait of My People also captures the importance of exploring personal identity.  Kelley, who has an Irish name and physically differs from what may be perceived as a traditional Native American look, personifies that we “can’t judge a book by its cover.”  How do society’s racial and cultural generalizations form not only other people’s opinions of our identity, but how we view ourselves?  Portrait of My People encourages young people to explore their family heritage and to embrace all the parts of their own unique identity.   Due to limited seating, RSVP’s are required.  Please call 618-344-7316 or 618-346-5160 for your free ticket.

For additional information, visit Cahokia Mounds