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In addition to receiving 26 issues of The Independent Kansas City’s Journal of Society, your subscription will include our annual publication, the Charitable Events Calendar and a subscription to our e-newsletter, The Insider.

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Kansas City Young Matrons – Civics and Honoring Day

Kansas City Young Matrons’ annual Civics and Honoring Day was held on October 2nd. The membership gathered to honor the president, past presidents, silver members, life members, and honorary members, in addition to a special presentation to Lucinda Rice-Petrie for leading Heritage Hikes. The Merry Matrons entertained the group with a song to introduce the […]

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Kansas City Ballet – 66th Season Launch Party

Kansas City Ballet welcomed its 66th season at its annual Season Launch Party, which was held on October 13th at Benton’s in The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center. Devon Carney and David Gray, both of Kansas City Ballet, greeted guests, who then enjoyed the North American Premiere of Val Caniparoli’s Jekyll & Hyde at […]

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The Junior League of Wyandotte and Johnson Counties – 73rd Annual Community Ball and Cotillion

The Junior League of Wyandotte and Johnson Counties is honored to present outstanding high school students at its 73rd Annual Community Ball and Cotillion on December 2nd. Participants were chosen based on their leadership, character, and service, and they represent 15 area high schools.        Featured in the November 11, 2023 issue of […]

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Salvation Army Christmas Committee – The Carl J. DiCapo Family

The Carl J. DiCapo family will serve as honorary chairs for the annual Salvation Army Christmas Committee this year, to honor the memory of the emeritus board member. Thirty years ago, Carl DiCapo served as the co-chair for the committee, which helps to raise funds for critical programs and services during the holiday season. He […]

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Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care – 2023 Sunday Night Live

October 1st was the date for Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care’s Sunday Night Live. The event, which was held at KC Live! Block in the Power & Light District, featured a “Celebrate Compassion” theme. Casey Simmons and Sloane Simmons were the event co-chairs, and Kevin Dunn, Bob Legler, Shelly Legler, and Brady Legler served […]

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First Call – 2023 Soiree

Hotel Kansas City was the site for First Call’s Soiree, which was held on September 28th. Karen and Jeffry Gerson were the event chairs. The newly reimagined event featured a keynote performance by live painter, John Bukaty. Guests were treated to a lovely dinner, an auction, and most importantly, stories of hope from former First […]

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The Whole Person – 2023 Casino Royale Night of Independence Awards Gala

The Whole Person’s 2023 Casino Royale Night of Independence Awards Gala was held on September 22nd at Harrah’s Casino. The event raises funds for and toasts people living independently with disabilities. Receiving the Independence Award was 14-year-old Brinley Hutson, who has discovered her identity as an athlete! The spirited atmosphere featured dinner, casino games, silent […]

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Children’s Mercy Hospital – Dream Big Day

Children’s Mercy Hospital hosted Dream Big Day in September in Crown Center Square, with a one-mile walk and a family-friendly celebration. Besides having fun, the day was a fundraiser which rallied the community around the mission of providing answers, hope, and care to patients and their families.   Featured in the November 11, 2023 issue […]

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Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas – The Snow Ball Kickoff

The Snow Ball season has officially begun for Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas! The Patron, Table, and Snowflake committee members gathered recently at Indian Hills Country Club to kick off the 50th Anniversary. Guest speakers included Lauren Solidum, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, and Kershana, a St. Rita program graduate. Veronica and Peter Mallouk are serving […]

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Jackson County CASA – Cocktails for CASA: A Night of Hope

More than 220 guests gathered for Jackson County CASA’s Cocktails for CASA – A Night of Hope auction, which was held on October 6th at The Guild. The fifth annual event featured special guests KC Wolf and Chiefs Cheerleaders, a wine pull, a specialty CASA-colada cocktail, hors d’oeuvres, silent and live auctions, and more. Proceeds […]

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BOTAR – 2023 School Tours

The BOTAR Organization participates in conducting school tours of The American Royal twice, annually. Each year, members gather in May and October to help guide school children through the various programs and offerings at The Royal.      Featured in the November 11, 2023 issue of The Independent. Photo credit: Bailey Pianalto Photography

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Kansas City Ballet Guild – 2023 Nutcracker Ball Invitation Addressing

Kansas City Ballet Guild members gathered at the Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity on September 28th to assemble invitations for the 2023 Nutcracker Ball. The Guild’s 56th annual gala will be held on December 1st at The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center. Jo Anne Dondlinger is serving as the Ball chairman, and […]

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TRAVOIS Organization

Founded in 1995 by David W. Bland and Marianne Roos, Travois exists to support Indigenous clients as they build affordable housing and grow their economies. While this is not a Native-owned organization, they feel, “It is imperative that we steadfastly acknowledge this context and continually educate ourselves about the realities faced by those we serve.” […]

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Rachel’s Reads – November 2023

With the resurgence of interest in Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass, I felt that this list of First Nations and Native American authors is quite timely. There are a few authors who have entered into the national canon. Louise Erdrich is well known and well respected in literary fiction, Stephen Graham Jones is one of […]

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National Urban Indian Family Coalition

The National Urban Indian Family Coalition, founded in 2003 by Janeen Comenote, elevates a national voice for American Indians and Alaska Natives living in urban communities and sustains indigenous values and culture through a strong network of urban Indian organizations. The NUIFC is proud to support the Kansas City Indian Center, one of the only […]

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Guardians Of Hallowed Grounds

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Kansas City underwent significant growth, transforming into a busy trading and transportation hub that attracted a continuous influx of settlers. Within the growing population, two Native American sisters, Eliza “Lyda” and Helena “Lena” Conley of the Wyandot tribe, found themselves in a fierce conflict with city officials […]

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Native Leaders Play A Key Role In Cultural Revival And Education Reform

The era of the American frontier is a history passed down through generations. Yet, a particular chapter we don’t often hear of is stained with injustice. According to some, the ripple effects of European colonization and the Native American boarding schools they erected can still be felt among Indigenous communities. Within the walls of these […]

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Land Acknowledgement: What Should We Know?

The discussion of land being taken away from and given to Native American Indians is a lengthy one fraught with many decisions and disagreements and recalibrations. Today, many institutions nationwide have been keen to acknowledge that the land upon which they sit is, indeed, Native American Indian land. We were particularly impressed with the depth […]

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Connections: Cherokees Living In Today’s World

Complicated – the word that comes to mind most often when contemplating life today, in 2023, as a Native American Indian. Living, working, playing, raising children, worshipping, building a life and some wealth, honoring culture, sustaining family traditions – all of those seemingly normal activities are bestowed a level of complication when trying to carry […]

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EARTH TONES: New generations of American Indian composers are steeped in classical and Native cultures

When Raven Chacon won the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2022, the announcement surprised many American music-lovers, few of whom realized how strong the tradition of concert music by Native Americans had grown during the past two generations.  This year Raven was also awarded the MacArthur Award, given (as the MacArthur Foundation wrote) for “creating […]

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Crafting Cultural Connections Through Native American Jewelry

Across cultures, jewelry has long held social, economic, and personal value. It allows people to express their identity, personality, and individuality. Within Native American culture, jewelry takes on a more spiritual role, offering pathways to healing and cultural reconnection. In some cases, Native American jewelry may act as a bridge to initiate meaningful dialogues and […]

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