Discover and Discuss Night with Museum Curator Mike Kassel

Mike Kassel, Associate Director and Curator of Collections at the Cheyenne Frontier Days™ Old West Museum, will present a talk on the Year of the American Indian 2026. In this presentation, Kassel will explore the long and complex history of American Indian participation in Cheyenne Frontier Days, one of the most iconic events in the American West. Drawing from historical records, photographs, and artifacts from the museum’s collection, he will highlight the people, traditions, and moments that have shaped Native involvement in the event over time.

The program will provide historical context for the Year of the American Indian designation and examine how American Indian communities have been connected to Cheyenne Frontier Days throughout its history. Kassel will share stories and perspectives that help deepen our understanding of the cultural significance of this relationship within the broader story of the American West.