MUSEUM CAMPUS (WBBM Newsradio) -- Marla Ofelis did not expect to get a taste of home when she arrived at the Field Museum.
The resident of Hawaii came to Chicago to cheer on her daughter, who ran Sunday's Bank Of America Chicago Marathon. On Monday, the family came to the Field for the Pokemon Fossil exhibit when they heard the Hoapili Ukelele Band, performing as part of a special presentation honoring what's become known as Indigenous Peoples Day.
And Marla found herself singing along in Hawaiian.
"It's amazing! It's nice," she said of the performance, which also included groups representing Mexican and Lakota Sioux traditions.
J.D. Chancellor is the tribal liaison for the Field Museum, 1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr., and a member of the Choctaw Nation. He says the museum has hosted these observances for about five years, as a way to add perspective to what visitors see when they experience the exhibits inside the attraction.
"We were meant to be exhibits, we weren't meant to be partners," Chancellor said of the "colonial" aspects of the museum's heritage, which involved teaching the history of the nation and its people from a settler's perspective rather than including indigenous voices. Chancellor said the performances at the museum are part of "repairing the harm" done by past actions of the museum.
For Keenan Kemae, whose Hoapili Ukelele Band kicked off the day's events, it's about more than performers strapping on grass skirts: "We share through the dances and the songs, or mele ... our history. It's just an amazing opportunity for people to learn more."
Kemae said he has one thought front and center as he performs: "My ancestors ... am I representing them well? Respectfully?"
Back inside the main hall, Marla Ofelis said he did "excellent."
"It touches my soul," she said, clutching her hand to her chest.
Museum in 5th year of observing indigenous traditions
Museum in 5th year of observing indigenous traditions
