Spring 2026 Programs and Events
All NAECC programs and events are open to Purdue students and are free. Come back to our website periodically for updates.
FEBRUARY 2026
Crafting with CARE: Paper Craft
Wednesday, February 11 | 12:00 – 1:30 pm | NAECC
“Craft” your way through this self-care session and learn about the campus resources available through Purdue CARE. This event will center on paper craft and creating Valentine greeting cards.
This event is held in collaboration with the Purdue Center for Advocacy, Response, and Education (CARE).
NAECC Craft Circle: Sewing Pillows
Thursday, February 12 | 4:00 – 5:30 pm | NAECC
Bring your creativity to our interactive craft circle. Each month, we focus on a different activities and for the month of February, we will focus on sewing heart pillows. Stop by to learn to sew and our staff will guide you along the way.
Spilling the TEA: Native American Winter Stories
Tuesday, February 17 | 4:00 – 5:00 pm | NAECC
Spring educational series sharing Native American knowledge and stories with traditional Indigenous tea. Join us as we share winter stories from tribal nations and learn about their life lessons.
Fork'n Film Series: "People of a Feather: Survival in the Canadian Arctic"
Wednesday, February 18 | 4:00 – 6:00 pm | NAECC
Spring educational series featuring documentaries and films centered on environmental issues impacting Indigenous communities. Dinner is included.
"People of a Feather takes us through time into the world of the Inuit in the northern reaches of Canada. Connecting past, present and future is the Inuit's unique relationship with the eider duck. Eider down, the warmest feather in the world, allows both Inuit and bird to survive harsh Arctic winters."
Spring Wellness Series: Journaling
Tuesday, February 24 | 5:00 – 6:00 pm | NAECC
New program series on self-care and finding new techniques to reduce stress. Join us in creating journals, all supplies will be included.
MARCH 2026
NAECC Spring Artist-in-Residence featuring Michelle Reed
Monday, March 2 through Friday, March 6, 2026
Multi-talented Artist and Dancer Michelle Reed is the featured Artist-in-Residence for the week and will lead workshops, classes, serve as a guest lecturer, and host open studio time at the NAECC.
Michelle Reed is an enrolled member of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Ojibwe. She lives in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with her husband and their two children. She dances jingle, hoop, traditional, eagle, and fancy shawl. She is the co-founder and manager of the Woodland Sky Native American Dance Company as well as lead female dancer for the #1 selling Native American recording artist Brule'. Michelle has developed N8V Dance Fitness, a workout designed to combine culture, health, and wellness, and she has had the opportunity to personally share this with Native communities and universities. She is a clothing and accessories designer, creating custom sewing and beadwork for many champion dancers as well as full purse and Indigenous Girl Doll line, MReed Design Purse Co. Her latest project is with the Hannahville Indian Community Powwow Club in Michigan, teaching future leaders to make regalia and dance.
Open Studio Time
Monday, March 2 through Thursday, March 5 | 1:00 – 3:00 pm | NAECC
Throughout the week, Michelle Reed will construct a jingle dress and work on beading projects at the NAECC. This time is available to visit with Michelle and gain insight into her creativity and personal inspiration.
Beading Workshop
Monday, March 2, Tuesday, March 3, and Wednesday, March 4 | 3:00 – 5:00 pm | NAECC
Interactive craft session featuring beading a traditional medallion. This workshop will span over three days and by signing up, participants will agree to attend all sessions. Pre-registration is required, click HERE.
Pow Wow Fitness Dance Class
Tuesday, March 3 | 6:00 – 7:00 pm | NAECC
Founder of N8V Dance Fitness, Michelle Reed will lead a fitness class featuring both men and women's pow wow dance moves. All fitness levels are welcome to join.
NAECC Craft Circle: Pouches
Thursday, March 5 | 4:00 – 5:30 pm | NAECC
Bring your creativity to this interactive craft circle. Michelle Reed will lead this session focused on making traditional leather pouches.
Jingle Dress Presentation and Dance Demonstration
Friday, March 6 | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm | NAECC
The closing presentation to her residency, Michelle Reed will share her stories and knowledge of the jingle dress and perform a traditional jingle dance.
Crafting with CARE: Crocheting
Wednesday, March 4 | 12:00 – 1:30 pm | NAECC
“Craft” your way through this self-care session and learn about the campus resources available through Purdue CARE. This event will center on crocheting.
This event is held in collaboration with the Purdue Center for Advocacy, Response, and Education (CARE).
Spilling the TEA: Native American Women Warriors
Tuesday, March 10 | 4:00 – 5:00 pm | NAECC
Spring educational series sharing Native American knowledge and stories with traditional Indigenous tea. Celebrating Women's History Month, this presentation will highlight the contributions of Native American women warriors from tribal nations across the U.S.
Fork'n Film Series: "Bring Them Home Aisko'ta'hkapiyaaya"
Wednesday, March 11 | 4:00 – 6:00 pm | NAECC
Spring educational series featuring documentaries and films centered on environmental issues impacting Indigenous communities. Dinner is included.
"Bring Them Home Aisko'ta'hkapiyaaya" tells the story of a committed group of Blackfoot people and their mission to establish the first wild bison herd on their ancestral territory since the species' near-extinction a century ago. Through the process of re-wilding, the tribe seeks to restore the land, re-enliven traditional culture, and bring much needed healing to their community. - Video Project. 85 minutes. 2024.
NAECC Visiting Artist J.J. Otero
Tuesday, March 24 | 4:00 – 5:00 pm | NAECC
Navajo/Hopi Artist J.J. Otero will visit the NAECC and showcase his artistry, inspiration, and personal stories.
Otero is an award-winning metalsmith, woodworker, painter, musician, and artist from New Mexico who approaches all his work with one philosophy - "This moment is perfect and there's nothing lacking." A former IT professional of 25 years, art, and music have always been part of J.J.'s life. He began his art career full-time after discovering his love of woodworking when he moved back home in 2016 and created a workbench for his father and a cradleboard for his sister's upcoming grandchild. After being encouraged by friends to enter art markets, he was accepted into the Heard Museum Art Market and the SEEDS Art Market in 2018, cementing his transition into a full-time artist.
This event is held in collaboration with the Eiteljorg Museum, Indianapolis.
"Utilizing Traditional Framework for Language and Research" by Dr. Melvatha Chee
Thursday, March 26 | 6:00 – 7:00 pm | STEW 279
The NAECC will host Dr. Melvatha Chee who will present on the application of traditional Dine' framework to the language instruction and Dine' child language studies.
Dr. Chee (Dine') is the Director of the Navajo Language Program and Associate Professor of Linguistics in the Department of Linguistics at the University of New Mexico (UNM). Dr. Chee is from the Tsé Nahabiłnii, Kin Łichíi’nii, Hooghan Łání and Áshįįhí clans and originally from Lake Valley, New Mexico. She has over 15 years of experience working in her heritage language in a professional capacity including interpretation, translation, transcription, teaching, and research. Dr. Chee's work includes teaching Dine' language at UNM, serving as an official interpreter for the U.S. Department of Justice, and translating voting ballots for the State of New Mexico.
This event is held in collaboration with the Indigenous and Endangered Languages Lab, College of Liberal Arts.
Spring Wellness Series: Cooking Demonstration
Tuesday, March 31 | 5:00 – 6:00 pm | NAECC
New program series on self-care and finding new techniques to reduce stress. Join us as we focus on mindful cooking and using holistics recipes from Native American cookbooks.
APRIL 2026
Crafting with CARE: Painting Tote Bags
Wednesday, April 1 | 12:00 – 1:30 pm | NAECC
“Craft” your way through this self-care session and learn about the campus resources available through Purdue CARE. This event will center on painting tote bags.
This event is held in collaboration with the Purdue Center for Advocacy, Response, and Education (CARE).
NAECC Craft Circle: Homemade Spring Flowers
Thursday, April 2 | 4:00 – 5:30 pm | NAECC
Bring your creativity to our interactive craft circle. This session will focus on creating homemade flowers with pipe cleaners and book paper craft.
Spring Book Discussion and Lunch featuring "Where They Last Saw Her" by Marcie R. Rendon
Thursday, April 9 | 12:00 – 1:30 pm | NAECC
Spring 2026 book discussion and lunch featuring “Where They Last Saw Her” by Marcie R. Rendon (White Earth Ojibwe). “From the award-winning author of the Cash Blackbear series comes a compelling novel of a Native American woman who learns of the disapperance of one of her own and decides enough is enough." - Marcie R. Rendon website
Pre-registration Required, click HERE.
This event is held in collaboration with the Purdue Libraries and School of Information Studies.
VIRTUAL Spring Book Discussion featuring "Where They Last Saw Her" by Marcie R. Rendon
Thursday, April 9 | 6:00 – 7:00 pm Eastern Time | Virtual Event
Spring 2026 VIRTUAL book discussion featuring “Where They Last Saw Her” by Marcie R. Rendon (White Earth Ojibwe). “From the award-winning author of the Cash Blackbear series comes a compelling novel of a Native American woman who learns of the disapperance of one of her own and decides enough is enough." - Marcie R. Rendon website
Google Meet event video call weblink, click HERE.
This event is held in collaboration with the Purdue Global Indigneous ERG
