Indigenous Peoples' Day Celebration

Join us for a special Indigenous Peoples' Day Celebration and learn about the people who inhabited this land before us! This year Indigenous Peoples' Day falls on Monday, October 14, but we invite you to join us for a day of learning, appreciation, and family fun on Saturday, October 19. We will have guest presenters and participants are encouraged to view our temporary exhibit, Honoring the Ancestors: Death and Mourning Among Indigenous Peoples of the Texas Gulf Coast, after the presentations. We would love to have guests attend each presentation, but you may also pick and choose which presentations to attend. Please note the location for each presentation is different, but very close to each other.

This event is free to attend, but we do ask that you RSVP so we can properly accommodate all guests.

Schedule of Events:

Land Acknowledgement Ceremony

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Recommended Age: Adults and Families

Jackson Plantation Historic Site, 1030 FM 2004, Lake Jackson , TX 77566

Join us as we honor the role of the Karankawa Native Americans in the history of Lake Jackson. Through archaeological research, we have found evidence of Karankawa life on the land that is currently the Jackson Plantation Historic Site. During this ceremony we will acknowledge that the land belonged to the Karankawa and hear from Alex Perez, member of the Karankawa-Kadla community. He will perform a blessing ceremony, an inclusive ceremony in which everyone in attendance is welcome to participate.

Please bring a folding chair or blanket to sit on as you enjoy the ceremony!

Cherokee Heritage Presentation

11 AM - 12:30 PM

Recommended Age: Children and Families

True to Life Ministries, 105 This Way, Lake Jackson, TX 77566

Larry Pearl, who is of Cherokee descent,  has planned an engaging and interactive presentation that will teach children about the language, heritage, and culture of not only the Cherokee, but other nearby Native American tribes as well. Bring the family and experience this wonderful presentation! Larry Pearl will be sharing artifacts for children to interact with during his presentation.

Coil Pot Making

1 PM - 2 PM

Recommended Age: Children and Families

Alden B. Dow Office Museum Patio, 101 South Parking Place, Lake Jackson, TX 77566

After the Cherokee Heritage Presentation we invite you to join us across the street for a Karankawa-inspired coil pot making activity. We will discuss the unique style of Karankawa pottery and each child will make a small coil pot out of air dry clay that they will get to take home.

Honoring the Ancestors Exhibit Viewing

10 AM - 4 PM

Recommended Age: Adults and Children

Alden B. Dow Office Museum, 101 South Parking Place, Lake Jackson, TX 77566

Honoring the Ancestors: Death and Mourning Among Indigenous Peoples of the Texas Gulf Coast is on display and open to the public Tuesday - Saturday from 10 AM - 4 PM beginning Tuesday, October 1 through Saturday, November 9. We encourage everyone to view the exhibit before or after their chosen presentations for the day and discover the diverse and rich end-of-life customs and mortuary practices of the Indigenous Peoples of coastal Texas! Learn about how these practices highlight a great respect for the dead and a belief in the continuation of the spirit. Come explore these fascinating cultural heritages!

This event and exhibit are part of a county-wide collaborative effort to celebrate and educate the community on Dia de los Muertos. This year, LJHA is working to expand on this topic and highlight how Indigenous People along the Texas coast honor and respect their deceased loved ones and their beliefs in the continuation of the spirit in comparison to Dia de los Muertos. Come explore these fascinating cultural heritages! Click here to view the entire schedule of events for Dia de los Muertos.