𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 & 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸
Thursday, August 28, 2025 | 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
𝗪𝗶𝗶𝗴𝘄𝗮𝗮𝘀𝗮𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗴: 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗚𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝘅𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁
Saturday, August 9 - Sunday, August 31, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Monday, September 1 - Sunday, September 7, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Overview
Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe Tribal Member Nathan Gordon once considered traditional birchbark crafting a hobby—now, Gordon has turned the endeavor into a thriving business, becoming a fixture at regional powwows. Learn about the tools, techniques and methods Gordon uses to create custom birchbark pieces during this special appearance at Madeline Island Museum. Gordon will discuss birchbark craftsmanship, his path to becoming an artist, his inspirations and his larger pursuit of preserving and sharing Ojibwe culture.
In addition to the discussion, Gordon’s work—from birchbark baskets to custom medallions—will be on display in a pop-up exhibit at Madeline Island Museum from August 9 to September 7. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the one-of-a-kind temporary exhibit, Passages, which tells the story of the Ojibwe migration to the place where food grows on the water.
Gordon’s exhibit, Wiigwaasaatig: Birchbark Tree Artistry with Nathan Gordon is part of a larger Ojibwe artist series, Mitigonaabe Geniwenimaad Mitigoon: The Spirit Who Takes Care of the Trees. Attend all three artist talks and their exhibits throughout the summer to learn more about Ojibwe culture and craftsmanship:
Aagimaak: Ash Trees and Lacrosse Sticks with Joseph Gokee
Baapaagimaak: Black Ash Tree Basketmaking with April Stone
COST
Adults (18-64): $10
Teen (13-17): $10
Senior (65+): $8
Child (5-12): $5
Child Under 5: Free
Included with general admission.
Society members receive free general admission, please verify your membership where prompted to receive discount at check out.
Book Tickets:
https://wihist.org/4mbyyOg
About the Location
Bella and Leo Capser opened the Madeline Island Museum in 1958. Their original collection of artifacts and texts has helped document centuries of island history, while later additions and expansions to the museum paint an even richer, deeper portrait of life on the Apostle Islands. The Ojibwe and other tribes made their home on Madeline Island, the largest of the Apostle Islands, for thousands of years before Europeans first made contact—in Ojibwe, the island is named Mooningwanekaaning-minis, which means island of the yellow-breasted woodpecker. Because of its strategic location and ample resources, the island served as a trading center for millennia and later a French fur trading post, missionary headquarters and commercial fishing zone for European settlers in the North American interior that continues today for state and Tribal fisherman.
Madeline Island Museum
226 Colonel Woods Ave
La Pointe, WI 54850
Know Before You Go & Accessibility
The museum store is open during operating hours.
Restrooms and water fountains are available on site.
The site will remain open rain or shine, except on a gale day.
No pets are allowed. Service animals are permitted.
Because of the historic nature of the buildings, not all areas are ADA accessible.
Guests with additional mobility needs are encouraged to contact the site directly at 715-747-2415 or or
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Contact
For more information, please contact the box office at 608-264-4848 or
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