Bridges of Understanding - Ceremonies and Festivals

The Dacotah Prairie Museum together with the Mizel Museum of Denver, Colorado, was pleased to announce an exciting multi-cultural event for audiences of all ages. The exhibit and accompanying educational programming featured different cultural traditions in “Bridges of Understanding - Ceremonies and Festivals” from October 14 - November 9, 2008.

“Bridges of Understanding” provided a positive impact through creative approaches, ideas and tools for building communities where diversity is respected and hate is rejected. This lively, interactive exhibition introduced the Jewish, Asian Pacific, Native American, Hispanic/Latino, African American, and Muslim cultures. “Ceremonies and Festivals” took you along a wonderful journey to learn how each of the six featured cultures celebrate special events, holidays and traditions from around the world.

The exhibition was located on 2nd floor in the Lamont Gallery and the Helen Bergh Education Room and involved separate free standing display cases for each of the cultures highlighted. The cases were filled with artifacts including clothing, musical instruments, masks, art objects, food, jewelry, shoes and other intricate objects tailored to that culture. In addition, there were hands on artifacts included with each cultural group used in programming.

The exhibition was on display for all visitors to the Museum, but to learn more about these cultures, a tour or program was conducted. A 15- minute introduction was given to Service clubs or groups during their monthly programs. A 1 hour tour/program was available for schools, Churches, Service Clubs, or groups of any kind. The 2 hour program also included the tour with hands-on demonstrations and art projects available.

Free public programming for children and families was provided from 1:30pm to 3:30pm as follows with hands-on activities in the cultures included:
Saturday, October 18: Jewish and Asian Pacific
Saturday, October 25: Native American and Muslim
Saturday, November 1: African-American and Hispanic/Latino

We hope the people of the greater northeast South Dakota area enjoyed learning about shared and unique themes, connect with different cultures and learned to “walk in another’s shoes”.

“Bridges of Understanding - Ceremonies and Festivals” was sponsored by the Mizel Museum of Denver, the Dacotah Prairie Museum Foundation, Dacotah Bank, and the Aberdeen Area Diversity Committee

For information on past exhibits in the Lamont Gallery, please click here.