Calendar of Events

    

Audubon Day Celebration

at the Center for NM Archaeology

May 4, 2019
10:00 am through 2:00 pm

Two Canadian Geese
Referred to as the big "Honker," this goose is among one of the best-known waterfowl. In many places, the V-formation flights of Canada Geese passing over -- northbound in spring, southbound in fall -- are recognized as signs of the changing seasons.

The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture (MIAC) will collaborate with Audubon New Mexico, for a special event, Audubon Day: A Celebration of Birds, at the Center for New Mexico Archeology (CNMA) from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event coincides with Birds: Spiritual Messengers of the Skies, an exhibition currently on view at CNMA, and celebrates the importance of birds across the Southwest.

The event schedule will be family friendly and include live demonstrations as well as hands-on activities. Attendees will have the opportunity to see CNMA’s exhibition, which centers on Native relationships with different birds, as well as their role within archeological studies. Audubon Day and the exhibition work in tandem to illustrate the importance of birds within the environment, fulfilling roles within our ecosystems and cultures.

To celebrate the relationship between birds and the region’s history, the program presents live birds of prey from On a Wing and a Prayer, a raptor rehabilitation program for a learning demonstration. Everyone in attendance is invited to participate in making clay figures, viewing bird-related objects under a microscope, and creating balls out of bird seed. Other activities include “Birding 101,” which teaches attendees the basics of birding skills. At 11:00 a.m., Jon Hayes, Audubon New Mexico’s Executive Director, will speak on conservation, followed by Diana Sherman, at 11:30 a.m.

Demonstrations include a turkey feather blanket making demo Mary Weahkee (Santa Clara Pueblo/Comanche) and flute and whistle playing by Marlon Magdalena (Jemez Pueblo), whose instruments have been made of bird-bone. Magdalena will also speak at 1pm.

MIAC is pleased to present a pottery making demo with renowned Pueblo potter Robert Tenorio of Santo Domingo (Kewa) Pueblo.

Casas Duck Pot
This colorful duck-shaped pot from the Casas Grandes area of Mexico includes numerous depictions of the macaw bird.