Eiteljorg Indian Market & Festival: Appreciation, Not Appropriation 

On June 28 and 29, the Eiteljorg Museum will host their 33rd Annual Indian Market & Festival, one of Indiana’s premier events celebrating Native resilenceresilience through the art and performances by American Indian, First Nation, and Alaskan Natives.   

Native artists from across the country will come together to Indianapolis to share their work and stories . Throughout the two-day event, attendees of all ages and backgrounds will have the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in a space highlighting, educating and amplifying Native cultures.  

These artists are more than creators—they are culture bearers, storytellers, and leaders in their communities. During a conversation with Pahponee (Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas / Citizen Band Potawatomi), the 2025 Signature Image artist of Indian Market & Festival, expressed, “The primary role of an artist is to communicate through the chosen art medium, reflecting on the events happening in the world around us.”. When you buy from them, you are not only acquiring beautiful art; you are playing a pivotal role in the resilience of Native cultures. All artists are enrolled members of federally or state-recognized tribes, and every purchase supports them directly. 

As we look forward to this powerful weekend  it’s important to understand the difference in cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation: 

Appropriation is using a culture’s elements without understanding, context, or permission—often in ways that erase or exploit. 

Appreciation at its core is about respect: listening, learning, and engaging with Native culture thoughtfully, ultimately supporting and amplifying Native voices and creators.  

By attending Indian Market & Festival and purchasing from  Native artists, you’re  engaging in cultural appreciation.. You’re standing with these artists, honoring their resilience, and helping promote peoples that have endured—despite centuries of displacement, oppression, and cultural erasure. 

Join us for a weekend of culture, connection and community.