Erin Hughes, Digital and Community Outreach Archivist, and Irene Danforth, Language Archivist, from the Oneida Nation, had the privilege of attending the Green Bay Packers Foundation luncheon at Lambeau Field on November 21st. This special event honored the 398 civic and charitable organizations from across Wisconsin that received grants this year from the Packers Foundation. The luncheon featured an inspiring awards ceremony, with Packers alumnus Dorsey Levens sharing remarks, and the Green Bay Preble Concert Choir delivering a beautiful performance.
We are thrilled to share that WiLS received a generous $5,000 grant to support the Culture Keepers Convening in May 2025, which is being hosted by the Red Cliff Nation. This annual event is a vital three-day gathering designed for Wisconsin Native Nation cultural heritage workers. The convening provides specialized professional development and valuable inter-tribal networking opportunities for representatives from all twelve Native Nations, including those working in tribal libraries, archives, museums, language centers, and historic preservation offices.
The Culture Keepers Convening plays a critical role in strengthening the preservation of tribal cultural heritage, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that these traditions are passed down to future generations. Attendees engage in hands-on sessions, roundtables, and workshops focused on essential topics like digital preservation, cataloging, and artifact care. These activities not only enhance the professional skills of cultural workers but also build the capacity of their institutions to better serve their communities.
The convening is also a unique opportunity for participants to exchange knowledge and share best practices in cultural heritage preservation. Through discussions and collaborative learning, cultural workers from different tribes inspire one another, strengthening the inter-tribal relationships that are so important for continued support and collaboration across the state.
The generous funding from the Green Bay Packers Foundation will allow us to invite renowned cultural heritage experts, trainers, and speakers to lead sessions. Their expertise will be invaluable in enriching the learning experience for all attendees.
This year, the Packers Foundation awarded $1.5 million in grants, focusing on organizations that promote arts and culture, athletics, and education. WiLS is truly honored to be among the recipients and deeply grateful for the support the Foundation provides to so many organizations working to make a positive impact across Wisconsin.
Thank you to the Green Bay Packers Foundation for your commitment to supporting initiatives like the Culture Keepers Convening and for investing in the future of cultural preservation across our state. We look forward to the continued success of this important work!
