BIG CYPRESS, FL – The Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum will stage its American Indigenous Arts Celebration (AIAC), November 3-4, on the museum’s festival grounds in Big Cypress from 10:00am to 5:00pm on both days.
The AIAC is one of the top festivals in the Southeast and will feature an array of Seminole and Indigenous art, music, food, dance, and other cultural experiences. Attendees can shop among the numerous booths of Native artists and craft vendors, while enjoying Seminole cuisine, including fresh fry bread.
Event highlights will include the return of New Zealand’s HAKA Māori Cultural Experience with new additions, such as a Māori Tā Moko traditional tattoo demonstration, weaponry display with demonstration by the King’s bodyguard and collaboration with Seminole woodcarvers Daniel Tommie, Tylor Tigertail, and Māori carver Taroi Rawiri to build a Seminole dugout canoe with Māori influence that will be showcased during the event. The HAKA Māori Cultural Experience will use all the proceeds from the Seminole’s tattoo bookings to benefit the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC).
Additionally, a collaboration of live painting will take place at the Stage 360 with both Seminole artist, Elgin Jumper and Māori artist, Regan Balzer to the inspirational Māori music (Taonga Puoro) played live by Māori musician Solomon Horo. Guests can look forward to adult and youth fashion shows, live alligator wrestling and Native American dance performances by Native Pride at the event.
