Native Voices

Beginning in November 2022 and continuing through 2023, several institutions throughout Lake Forest are presenting a variety of activities, performances, lectures and events that celebrate the culture and contributions of Native Americans, past and present, to the community. Entitled Native Voices, the year-long programming illuminates the legacy and current life of Native communities as we traverse thousands of years of history, covering their rich fabric of art, environment, culture, and communication.
Led by Lake Forest Open Lands Association, participating institutions include the Ragdale Foundation, The Lake Forest Library, The History Center of Lake Forest Lake Bluff, Elawa Farm Foundation, Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce, and Gorton Community Center. In addition, Districts 67/115, private schools, and Lake Forest College are involved.
Click on descriptions below for more information and registration (if required).




Date | Host | Age | Decription | Location | Type |
JANUARY | |||||
17 | City of Lake Forest | All ages | Proclamation of Native Voices | City Councel Chambers | Event |
19 | LFOLA/LF-LB History Center | All ages | Indigenous Connections to the Land: Indian Trail Marker Trees | LF-LB History Center | Discussion/presentation |
21 | Lake Forest Library | Grades 3-5 | Youth Book Club: "Code Talker" | Lake Forest Library | Book discussion |
21 | Gorton Center | All ages | 3:00 pm: "Native Voices: Keep Talking" OR 7:00 pm: "Native Voices: Keep Talking" | Gorton Center | Film |
27 | Lake Forest Library | Young Adults/ Adults | "Native America" | Lake Forest Library | Film |
FEBRUARY | |||||
Various | Lake Forest Library | Young Adults/Adults | Read Between the Ravines Lead Up Events | Lake Forest Library | One Book Two Community Book Ravines |
8 | LFOLA/LF-LB History Center | All ages | Indigenous Connections to the Land: Chicagoland Archaeology and Native American Past | LF-LB History Center | Discussion/presentation |
9 | Lake Forest Library | Young Adults/Adults | Teen Book Group: "Firekeeper's Daughter" | Lake Forest Library | Book discussion |
16 | Lake Forest Library | Adults | Afternoons with Judy Levin: "A Path Lit by Lightning" | Lake Forest Library | Book discussion |
MARCH | |||||
7 | LFOLA/LF-LB History Center | All ages | Indigenous Connections to the Land: Indian Burial Grounds & New Discoveries | LF-LB History Center | Discussion/presentation |
8 | Gorton Center | All ages | 3:00 pm: "Reel Injun" OR 7:00 pm: "Reel Injun" | Gorton Center | Film |
13 | Lake Forest Library | Adults | "We Had a Little Real Estate Problem: The Unheralded Story of Native Americans & Comedy" | Lake Forest Library | Book discussion |
16 | Lake Forest Library | Young Adults/Adults | Afternoons with Judy Levin: "An Indian Among Los Indigenas: a native Travel Memoir" | Lake Forest Library | Book discussion |
29 | Gorton Center | All ages | 3:00 pm: "Alaskan Nets" OR 7:00 pm: "Alaskan Nets" | Gorton Center | Film |
APRIL | |||||
8 | Lake Forest Library | All ages | Explore Ojibwa History & Culture | Lake Forest Library | Discussion/presentation |
14 | Lake Forest and Lake Bluff Libraries | Teens/Adults | An Evening with Author Ursula Pike | LF-LB History Center | Book discussion |
15 | Lake Forest Library | Adults | "More Than Memory: Using Research to Enhance Your Memoir" with Ursula Pike | Lake Forest Library | Memoir writing |
20 | Lake Forest Library | Adults | Afternoons with Judy Levin: "Braiding Sweetgrass" | Lake Forest Library | Book discussion |
20 | Gorton Center | All ages | Film TBA | Gorton Center | Film |
28 | Lake Forest Library | Young Adults/Adults | "Wind River" | Lake Forest Library | Film |
MAY | |||||
6 | Lake Forest Library | Ages 8-12 | "I Can Make This Promise" | Lake Forest Library | Book Discussion |