Dearborn, Mich. — Sept. 24, 2026 — As part of The Henry Ford's celebration of Indigenous History Month, Curator of Political and Civic Engagement at The Henry Ford, Heather Bruegl (Oneida/Stockbridge-Munsee), and Director of Historic Interpretation and Audience Engagement at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, Brandon Dillard (Cherokee Nation), will host Preserving the Homelands — Native Nations During the Revolution. This event will take place on Saturday, October 10, at 2 p.m. in the Anderson Theater. This event is free and registration is required.

The two historians will discuss the often overlooked history of Indigenous nations during the American Revolution, how they shaped the new United States, and how this time continues to influence America today.

Dillard has led exhibits and interpretations at Monticello for sixteen years, providing training sessions for museums and historic sites across the United States and abroad, practicing interpretations of Indigenous histories and perspectives. Dillard also serves on the North American Steering Committee for the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience and the Leadership Nominating Committee for the American Association of State and Local History.

Bruegl is a citizen of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, and has been with The Henry Ford for 3 years, overseeing collections related to political and civic engagement. She is a first-line descendant of Stockbridge Munsee, a public historian, activist, and decolonial education consultant, who works with institutions and organizations for Indigenous sovereignty and collective liberation. She's consulted a variety of museums and universities, lectured at conferences and programs, including topics such as racism and fighting for clean water in the Native community.

This conversation will be followed by a brief Q&A with Dillard and Bruegl. For more information, visit thf.org.

About The Henry Ford
Located in Dearborn, Michigan, The Henry Ford, a globally recognized destination, fosters inspiration and learning from hands-on encounters with artifacts that represent the most comprehensive collection anywhere focusing on innovation, ingenuity and resourcefulness in America. Its unique venues include Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Greenfield Village, Ford Rouge Factory Tour, Benson Ford Research Center and Henry Ford Academy, a public charter high school. Together with its online presence at thf.org and Invention Convention Worldwide, the growing affiliation of organizations fostering innovation, invention and entrepreneurship in K-12 students, The Henry Ford is a force for inspiring every individual to innovate, create and invent. For more information, visit thehenryford.org.