What You Need to See This Native American Heritage Month
November is here again, and that means its Native American Heritage Month! There are some incredible opportunities for you to learn, experience, and engage with Seminole and Indigenous cultures this month throughout the state. We encourage you to thoughtfully choose to participate in this month’s festivities and uplift the cultures and communities around you. Today, we will highlight a few of the events, exhibits, and experiences you can enjoy throughout the state this November.
If you can’t attend any of these events, we encourage you to find ways to participate in your own life. Buy from Native artists and vendors, have conversations with your family and children about Native cultures, and even try an Indigenous recipe or two! Need ideas? Check out a previous post on Native American Heritage Month from 2022.
The American Indigenous Arts Celebration
The 2025 American Indigenous Arts Celebration starts tomorrow, November 7th and will go through Saturday, November 8th, 2025. Located on the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation at the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, this celebration is a cultural event packed with music, arts and crafts, dancing, and more. Come by for a single day or show up for both to experience every offering! Below, we will give you a preview of some of the most exciting things in this year’s lineup.
Can’t make it this weekend? The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum is open seven days a week, from 9:00am to 5:00pm. The Museum offers a variety of permanent and rotating exhibits all focused on sharing the Seminole story, culture, and history. The experience continues outside with a mile-long boardwalk through a natural cypress dome. Below, explore some of this year’s special guests and check them out on the official schedule!
Lightning Boy Foundation
The Lightning Boy Foundation was established in 2016. It was in honor of Valentino ‘Tzigiwhaeno’ Rivera, a young Pueblo hoop dancer with an innate love of dance. Felicia Rosacker-Rivera, his mother, and Steve Larance (Hopi, Assiniboine) co-founded the foundation after Valentino’s passing at the age of eight. Nakotah Larance was the original master instructor. In 2020, the Lightning Boy Foundation suffered another loss with the passing of Nakotah. Today, the foundation continues to “carry on the legacy of these Fallen Dancers and spread healing, power and inspiration across the world.”
Based out of the Tewa Pueblos of Northern New Mexico, the foundation is a non-profit. They work to support those in their local community interested in tradition and visual arts. They have particularly focused on increasing access to the youth in teaching Hoop Dance. Thanks to their efforts it is now available to all tribal youth in the area. The Lightning Boy Foundation “supports a tribally inclusive Lightning Boy Hoop Dance Group and other youth performance and visual arts objectives, and above all, trying to love others and our place on Earth unconditionally as Valentino did.”
You can catch the Lightning Boy Foundation participating in this year’s Unconquered Powwow and Hoop Dancing Competition Friday, November 7th and 1pm and Saturday November 8th at 10am and 1pm.
Native Pride Productions
Founded by Larry Yazzie, Native Pride Production’s “goal is to share cultural traditions through artist-in-residency workshops, performances, lectures, classroom instruction and theatrical performances enhancing access to diverse, multicultural artists for people of all ages and backgrounds.” Yazzie himself is a World Champion Fancy Dancer, Men’s Northern Traditional, and Eagle Dancer. Native Pride Productions offers a variety of dance types in their high energy show. It features a dazzling array of modern and traditional Native American dance styles.
You can catch Native Pride Productions participating in this year’s Unconquered Powwow and Hoop Dancing Competition Friday, November 7th and 1pm and Saturday November 8th at 10am and 1pm.
Pharaoh’s Wildlife Kingdom
Owned and operated by FAWC-seasoned alligator wrestler Pharaoh Gayles, Pharaoh’s Wildlife Kingdom blends the thrills of wild animal handling with education. Pharaoh’s Wildlife Kingdom “is committed to educating the public, from toddlers to our elders, about the beauty and wonder of wildlife and about the importance of animal conservation.” He is a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission-licensed handler. He also has a YouTube channel that offers “on-demand edutainment and expert wildlife care information.” You will have five chances to catch Pharaoh’s Wildlife Kingdom throughout AIAC weekend on Stage 360.
Lenora Roberts Fashion Show
Seminole artist and fashion designer Lenora Roberts is back for another exciting year! Her designs will be on display in a fashion show from 3p-4p on the Main Stage Saturday, November 8th. This year’s theme is “Flowers and Sunsets.”
Jumper standing in front of his work April 2025.
Eljin Jumper
An incredible artist, Eljin Jumper’s work has been featured at the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum and other institutions a number of times. Earlier this year the Museum highlighted his works in an exhibit. The exhibit featured prominent quotes from the artist himself on the walls next to his art (above).
The exhibit opening, which also included a documentary talking about Jumper’s inspiration and origins in art, was also attended by Ahfachkee students. “Hopefully, they’ll take what they’ve seen and be inspired by it,” Jumper said. “Hopefully, maybe learn a little bit more about what I do, as an artist, as a Seminole artist, hopefully some culture, some history, because I try to put that in as well, even though it’s more of a modern kind of style, more of a contemporary kind of style.”
Jumper began his art journey at a young age. He began to draw with just simple paper and pencils at eight years old. Today, Jumper works with a variety of mediums including oils, acrylics, the written word, and even poetry, plays, and essays. He takes inspiration from nature, life, history, and poetry. His eclectic style and wide range of talent results in some incredibly striking works of art. You can find Jumper participating in a Live Painting Demonstration Friday, November 7th from 3p-4p on Stage 360. Can’t get to AIAC? HistoryMiami is also currently exhibiting Jumper’s work in their exhibit “Yakne Seminoli.”
Ameyal Mexican Cultural Academy
Founded by Alfredo Martinez from Veracruz, Mexico, the Ameyal Mexican Cultural Academy brings traditional Mexican culture and heritage to life through immersive dance presentations. They primarily focus on dances that would have been featured at communal parties (fandango), ritual dances (concheros), and folk dances.
In a 2017 interview with HistoryMiami Martinez explained the inspiration for the group, saying it was born “By necessity. By loneliness. When I told a friend about the project, she answered me with discouragement: “Alfredo, you are alone.” She was right, we were alone, and if we wanted to continue with our practices, we needed to found an organization that specifically cultivated these traditions. None of the dancers’ grandparents traveled to Miami. No group brought the fandango tradition to Miami. This made us think that we could greatly enrich the cultural atmosphere of this city with our organization.”
Today, the Ameyal Mexican Cultural Performers work to educate, support, and enrich the community by sharing the distinct and beautiful cultures found in Mexico. They will perform twice this festival weekend, both Friday and Saturday from 1p-2p on Stage 360.
Tony Duncan Productions
Five-time Hoop Dance World Champion Tony Duncan has spent his life learning, passing on, and honoring the traditions that came before him. Duncan (San Carlos Apache and Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation) and his wife, Violet (Plains Cree and Taino from Kehewin Cree Nation) even starred in Nelly Furtado’s 2012 music video “Big Hoops (The Bigger the Better).” He learned to hoop dance from his father Ken Duncan Sr., and has since passed it down to his own children. Duncan emphasizes that the hoop represents the circle of life. He shared “We are all connected in this great circle of life, and we celebrate that connection with the hoop dance.”
There will be multiple opportunities to see Tony Duncan Productions throughout the festival weekend. There will be a Hoop Dance Workshop once a day. Tony Duncan Productions will also be participating in this year’s Unconquered Powwow and Hoop Dancing Competition Friday, November 7th and 1pm and Saturday November 8th at 10am and 1pm.
Go Native Now
Owned and operated by Oskwanontona Pia roya (Comanche/First Nations – Federal Mohawk), Go Native Now is a cultural and educational experience based out of Kissimmee, Florida. Focused on educating and sharing living history, songs, and dance Go Native Now works to share true native culture full time at the Jororo Native Village. They only go on the road for a few large events a year – one being this year’s American Indigenous Arts Celebration!
You can catch Go Native Now participating in this year’s Unconquered Powwow and Hoop Dancing Competition Friday, November 7th and 1pm and Saturday November 8th at 10am and 1pm.
Meet and Greet with the 2025 Seminole Princesses
Just a few months ago Miss Florida Seminole Bailey Marie Osceola Latchford and Jr. Miss Florida Seminole Chaka Yani Smith were crowned at the 68th annual Miss Florida Seminole Princess Pageant in Hollywood, FL. Although only a few months into their reign, they are already making their mark! Latchford currently attends Florida State University (FSU) and is pursuing her degree in social work and criminal justice. She is a member of the NAACP and the membership chair for the Big Sister Little Sister organization. Last December Latchford was also a speaker at the dedication for the new Native American & Indigenous Studies Center on the FSU Campus.
Smith is a senior at Okeechobee High School. She is a multi-sport student athlete while still maintaining a 4.0. She is enrolled in the school’s dual enrollment program as well as taking AP classes. Meet the princesses at this year’s American Indigenous Arts Celebration at a meet and greet.
Other Opportunities this November
Powwow Marketplace at Okalee
Miss this year’s American Indigenous Arts Celebration? You won’t have to wait that long for the next cultural event! Join the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum and Okalee Indian Village on November 14th, 2025. Admission is free to this cultural extravaganza. You’ll be able to shop unique native arts and crafts, try tasty Seminole treats, and immerse yourself in a vibrant blend of North American powwow, Aztec, and Polynesian exhibition dancing. Check out Florida Seminole Tourism and the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum on social media for more information.
Yakne Seminoli
Just recently opened on November 1st, this exhibit is a collaboration with the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum and the HistoryMiami Museum. Yakne Seminoli, which roughly translates to “Seminole World,” showcases over 25 Seminole artists. Artists include Jimmy John Osceola, Brian Zepeda, Erica Deitz, Wilson Bowers, Elgin Jumper, Virginia Osceola, Gordon Oliver Wareham, Jojo Osceola, and Bobby Henry. The exhibit reveals how these artists and their art bring Seminole history and art, and by extension Florida history and art, to life. It also works to honor the stories of resilience, survival, adaptation, and innovation that have shaped the Seminole story in the past through today.
The exhibit will be running through March of 2026. So, make your plans quick to come out and experience this special cultural celebration.
“The Seminole Collection” at History Fort Lauderdale
Exhibited in honor of Native American History Month, this showcase highlights art and artifacts from within History Fort Lauderdale’s collection that celebrate and honor the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s history. “History Fort Lauderdale is proud to showcase the rich cultural and artistic contributions of the Seminole Tribe of Florida year-round, but especially during Native American Heritage Month,” said Patricia Zeiler, executive director of History Fort Lauderdale. “This curated collection features archival works and important artifacts depicting the shared experiences of our indigenous ancestors. From family life portraits to landscapes to beadwork, we invite the community to join us in honoring the spirits of those who paved the way for our great City’s success.”
This exhibition only runs through the end of November. Time is limited to see this impressive showcase! History Fort Lauderdale is open 7 days a week, from 10am to 4pm.
Kiana Bell in front of some of the baskets included in the Ancestral Edge Exhibit
Ancestral Edge: Abstraction and Symbolism in the Works of Nine Native American Women Artists
Running from September 13, 2025, through April 12, 2026, at the John and Mabel Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, FL this exhibition brings together works by nine contemporary Native American artists making significant contributions to the field of abstraction. These artists include Teresa Baker (Mandan/Hidatsa), Natalie Ball (Klamath/Modoc), Kiana Bell (Seminole), Elisa Harkins (Cherokee/Muscogee [Creek]), Erica Lord (Iñupiaq/Athabascan), Sarah Sense (Chitimacha/Choctaw), Sara Siestreem (Hanis Coos), Marie Watt (Seneca/German-Scot) and Dyani White Hawk (Sičáŋǧu Lakota). You can see Kiana Bell standing above with some of her baskets.
It comes on the heels of the Ringling’s 2023 exhibit Reclaiming Home. That was the Ringling’s first ever exhibit focused solely on Native art and artists. Ancestral Edge “explores craft, cultural, spiritual and ceremonial traditions through a variety of media, including basket weaving, collage, clay, textiles, photography, metalwork and printmaking.” Some of the items included are on loan from the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum.
