Learn about the importance of Native American women in Illinois history
The Lombard Historical Society welcomes Kim Sigafus for “Singing Bird and the Importance of Native American Women in Illinois History.”
Dressed in her native regalia, she will be giving a history of the natives in Illinois with a focus on native women, or what was considered “The Hidden Half.”
Join in person or virtually at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Carriage House, 23 W. Maple St. Registration is required as space is limited in person. The Zoom link will be sent out the day of the event.
This event is free but space is limited and requires tickets which are available at lombardhistory.org. For more information, email info@lombardhistory.org, or call (630) 629-1885.
Her primary focus will be women such as Singing Bird (Blackhawk’s wife), and Hononegah. She will bring the audience into these women’s day-to-day lives, including courting, marriage, and child-rearing.
She also will talk about their role in their husbands’ lives, and how those lives affected the history of Illinois.
Sigafus will bring native items that women would have used in their daily lives, as she discusses the role women played within the family unit.
The audience will be able to pick up and view the items, learn native language and music, and get the chance to play the drum in this interactive experience.
Sigafus is an award-winning Ojibwa author who writes Native American fiction, nonfiction, children’s and young adult books. She has presented on native history, food, and music, and has traveled all over the Midwest in her native regalia, bringing native culture to life. Her family is from White Earth Reservation, located in the northwest corner of Minnesota. She sings and drums, as well as crafts dream catchers and Talking Feathers.
Sigafus owns Quiet Souls, a Native American inspired gift store in Freeport, where she offers native presentations several times a year.
The Lombard Historical Society endeavors to cultivate a deep appreciation and comprehension of the community's rich history. Delve into the town’s past through interactive exhibitions, educational programming, and gaining insights from our collections. The historical society is committed to the preservation, interpretation, and celebration of Lombard's past, inspiring a vibrant and inclusive future.
It operates the Victorian Cottage Museum, the Carriage House, and the society’s archives at 23 W. Maple St., as well as the Sheldon Peck Homestead (a National Park Service Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Site) at 355 E. Parkside Ave. The Sheldon Peck Homestead hosts activities and is open for tours on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. The Victorian Cottage is open for tours on Fridays and Saturdays at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. only. The Lilac Emporium Gift Shop is open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information about hours, membership, and volunteer opportunities, visit lombardhistory.org, email info@lombardhistory.org or phone (630) 629-1885.