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