Third Mound Summit on Contemporary Native Arts Hosted by Center for Native Futures

CHICAGO This weekend, the Center for Native Futures will hold its third Mound Summit, an academic and cultural gathering designed to unite Native artists, organizations, and community members to discuss and celebrate contemporary Native arts. Using the concept of a metaphorical effigy mound, the center aims to establish a platform for networking and envisioning creative futures while honoring Native traditions and values.

The 2025 Mound Summit, now expanded to a three-day experience from December 57, will showcase five prominent Native-led art spaces from across the United States. The event will take place at the Kimpton Gray Hotel, located at 122 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603.

Featured presenters include comedian and performer Jana Schmieding (Lakota) and Emma Robbins (Din) of LA Chapter House in Los Angeles; siblings Clementine Bordeaux and Mary V. Bordeaux (Sicangu Oglala Lakota) of Racing Magpie in Rapid City, South Dakota; Angela Two Stars (Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, Dakota) of All My Relations Arts in Minneapolis; Candice Hopkins, a member of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation, representing Forge Project in Taghkanic, New York; and Hannah Claus (Kenht:ke Kanyenkeh:ka) of daphne in Quebec.

Special guests attending include UCLA professor Nancy Marie Mithlo (Apache), Ojibwe artist Haley Greenfeather English, and Cherokee-Mvskoke artist and curator Kalyn Fay Barnoski.

We are witnessing a dynamic rise of Native-led art spaces across the country, alongside the pioneers like All My Relations, said Debra Yepa-Pappan, co-founder and director of exhibitions and programs. Thanks to our funders, we can showcase their work and strengthen connections between Native communities beyond Chicago and the city itself.

The summit receives support from the Terra Foundation for American Art, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, the Joyce Foundation, and the Kimpton Gray Hotel.

The Center for Native Futures is a nonprofit gallery and makerspace operated entirely by Native artists. It is open to the public at no cost. Its current exhibition, Sight of Resistance, will run through January 10, 2026. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Analysis: Expanding Platforms for Native Arts

The 2025 Mound Summit represents a significant moment for contemporary Native arts, bringing together artists, organizations, and communities from across the United States. By framing the event around a "metaphorical effigy mound," the Center for Native Futures emphasizes both cultural continuity and forward-looking creativity.

This year’s expansion to a three-day format allows for deeper engagement with five prominent Native-led art spaces, highlighting a growing national network of Indigenous arts organizations. Presenters and special guests, including Jana Schmieding, Emma Robbins, and Candice Hopkins, reflect a wide geographic and cultural diversity within Native communities.

Support from major institutions like the Terra Foundation for American Art and the Joyce Foundation underscores the increasing recognition of Native arts in the broader cultural landscape. By maintaining free public access and centering Native leadership, the Center for Native Futures reinforces its role as both a cultural hub and a platform for community-driven artistic innovation.

Sources:

• Center for Native Futures Hosts Third Mound Summit on Contemporary Native Arts

Author: Ethan Caldwell
Ethan Caldwell is an experienced reporter with 10 years covering international news. He specializes in politics and economics, with strong investigative journalism and analytical writing skills.