Indigenous arts and entertainment are coming to Green Bay this weekend for a unique first-time experience.
“Modern Warriors” will feature an art market, live music, exhibition, staged reading and presentations from Indigenous communities in honor of Native American Heritage Month. The effort is organized by SAGE, a nonprofit arts advocacy group in Green Bay, after it approached the Oneida Nation Arts Board. Its founders, Xavier Horkman and Stacey Von Busch, were heavily inspired to create the market after they experienced how Madison’s Art + Lit Laboratory sought to make Native artists feel valued at its annual Native Art Market.
Plans started to get in the works when the two ran into their friend Bobby Mills at the Oneida Pow-Wow. All recognized the need for opportunities for Native Artists to sell their work.
“Oftentimes up here conversation gears towards comparisons to communities like Sante Fe that have year-long markets and locations where Indigenous artists can sell their work. Oneida does not have that kind of structure in place,” Busch said. “By the end of Xavier and Bobby’s conversation, I said, ‘Why don’t we host something through SAGE?’”
They held their first market on Aug. 24 in conjunction with the Green Bay Farmers Market — which is right outside its studio. The first market had nine vendors, but Horkman and Busch knew they wanted more.
On Nov. 16, the two came out to Madison for the annual Native Arts Market. They were inspired with how the event not only created ample space dedicated to Native artists, but how they felt valued.
At the event, Horkman and Busch were given a stipend to come down from Green Bay. They said the experience made them feel valued — that their time and efforts were respected. Attendees of the Madison market continued the feeling as many were genuinely engaged and interested in the artists’ work and heritage.
SAGE decided to reciprocate that effort to make artists feel valued.
“Xavier went on to apply for sponsorship of Modern Warriors through the Oneida Finance Committee, attended a board meeting where he presented, and was awarded a sum that allows him to provide artist stipends for this upcoming November event and 4 smaller markets in 2025,” Busch said. “This was huge for him, both personally and professionally.”
Modern Warriors will now press on to fund artists’ ability to attend its markets.
The event will feature a range of works from Indigenous art forms to contemporary works, live readings, exhibits, presentations and live music. Special guest “Boopa,” an Indigenous child artist, will be painting alongside her grandfather Scott Hill on the second floor to showcase generational ties and the importance of family.
Modern Warriors will be held Saturday, Nov. 23, 3-8 p.m. at the Bellin Building, 130 E. Walnut St. It is free to attend.
