Northern Michigan University's Center for Native American Studies will host Marquette's first "Water is Life Festival" on Friday, April 25. The event will bring together Indigenous teachers, local and regional musicians, performance artists, visual and material artists, and grassroots environmental advocates from throughout the Upper Peninsula. Admission to all activities is free.
The festival includes a full day of activities outlined below. It will culminate with evening water-themed performances from 6-9 p.m. in NMU's Hedgcock Atrium by the Sister Tour, Marquette Fringe, and Supaman.
10 a.m. to noon: From Dome to Dead River guided cultural trail walk with the City of Marquette's Arts and Culture Office (meet at the east side of the Superior Dome)
Noon to 1:15 p.m.: Water protectors will participate in a panel discussion to share their experiences and discuss the importance of celebrating and protecting waterways and ecosystems in Jamrich 1320
1-4 p.m.: Earth Week tabling event in Jamrich Hall. Learn about community partners with opportunities to join water protector networks and learn about water.
5-9 p.m.: Hedgcock Art Explorations, featuring canoe painting, a student art exposition and interactive art
"Water is Life" is also known as "Mni Wiconi" in Lakhotiyapi or "Nibi Biimaadezewin" in Anishinaabemowin. This simple biological fact has become a powerful organizing framework for Indigenous-led cultural celebrations and activism around connections with water.
The NMU Center for Native American Studies received support for the inaugural festival celebrating this resource from the Department of Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences; the School of Art & Design; Biology Department; the Hiawatha Music Co-op and several others. Learn more here.