Saturdays, Apr. 3 and Apr. 17, 11 am – 1 pm
Plate Full of Color
Listen to Plate Full of Color in the Children’s Library and tour the Farmstead to identify some of the food plants Mashantucket Pequot ancestors enjoyed. Taste mint, sassafras, or pine needle tea and enjoy some tasty, colorful snacks. Take home new recipe ideas. Bring a lunch. Limited to 15 children, ages 6 to 10. Call (800) 411-9671 by Apr. 2 or Apr. 16 to register. Free with Museum admission, free to Museum members.

Saturday, Apr. 10, 10 am – Noon
Forgotten Trails, Forgotten Sites
Hike with Senior Researcher Dr. Jason Mancini on old foot paths and new roads to discover foundations, stone walls, a 17th century Pequot fort, and a rhododendron thicket that lines the Cedar Swamp in this vigorous 2-3 mile walk. Wear appropriate footwear and clothing; bring water. Meet in the Gathering Space. Limited to 25 participants, ages 8 and older. Free with Museum admission, free to Museum members. Call (800) 411-9671 by Apr. 7 to register.

Wednesday, Apr. 14, 11 am – 2 pm
New England Reptiles and Raptors
Marla Isaac, of New England Reptiles and Raptors, brings some slithering reptiles to the Museum.  Meet a variety of turtles, a 5-foot boa constrictor, and Big Al—the alligator. The reptiles are on display in the Gathering Space with a half-hour presentation at 1pm. Free with Museum admission, free to Museum members.

Thursday, Apr. 15, 1 – 2 pm
Wetu Model Workshop
Join Tribal Member Gary Carter, Jr., to learn about wetus—the dome-shaped structures made by Native people in this area from natural resources such as cedar saplings, bark, and cattail rushes. Participants explore the topic while making a model wetu of their own. Limited to 25 participants, ages 8 and older. No charge for the workshop, but donations help renovate the Mashantucket Pequot Maple Sugaring House. Call (800) 411-9671 by Apr. 14 to register.

Friday, Apr. 16, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Wingmasters: North American Birds of Prey
Wildlife rehabilitators Julia Collier (Chickasaw/Creek) and Jim Parks present an entertaining and educational program featuring 8 live birds including falcons, hawks, owls, and an eagle! Find out about raptors and what to do if you find an injured or baby bird. Free with Museum admission, free to Museum members.

Saturday, Apr. 17, 11 am – 1 pm
Plate Full of Color
Listen to Plate Full of Color in the Children’s Library and tour the Farmstead to identify some of the food plants Mashantucket Pequot ancestors enjoyed. Taste mint, sassafras, or pine needle tea and enjoy some tasty, colorful snacks. Take home new recipe ideas. Bring a lunch. Limited to 15 children, ages 6 to 10. Call (800) 411-9671 by Apr. 16 to register. Free with Museum admission, free to Museum members.

Saturday, Apr. 17, Session I, 10 am – noon; Session II, 1 – 3 pm
Genealogy Workshop
Join genealogist Michael Spellmon along with researchers Dr. Jason Mancini and Mashantucket Pequot Tribal member Debra Jones for this two-part workshop.  Session I covers the methods and techniques of genealogical research; Session II is a hands-on exploration of various types of documents and how to interpret and use them.  Bring family records and questions. Limited to 30 adults per session.  $15/$10 Museum members for one session; $30/$20 Museum members for both sessions.  Call (800) 411-9671 by Apr. 10 to register.

Saturday, Apr. 24, 1 – 2 pm
Paul Chaat Smith, Native Author and Essayist
Paul Chaat Smith reads from his newest literary work, Everything You Know about Indians is Wrong, a collection of essays written between 1994 and 2008. Currently associate curator at the National Museum of the American Indian of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, Smith writes about the complex issues of Indian life. Hear an important voice in Native culture today.  Paul Chaat Smith signs copies of his book in the Museum gift shop after the talk. Free with Museum admission, free to Museum members.

Saturday, Apr. 24, 9:30 am – 4 pm
Teaching about American Indians of the Northeast: Who Is Telling the Story?
The one-day workshop, led by Public Programs Director Trudie Lamb Richmond (Schaghticoke), explores federal recognition, sovereignty, gaming, land claims, and repatriation. Museum Senior Researcher Dr. Jason Mancini discusses how Indian people have been misunderstood and misrepresented in history.  Paul Chaat Smith (Comanche) reads from his newest book and joins a panel of Native people including UConn Prof. Theodore Van Alst (Lakota) for a round-table discussion. Limited to 25 participants. $35/$30 Museum members. .6 CEUs available. Call (860) 396-6899 by Apr. 23 to register.

Friday, Apr. 30, 11 am – 3 pm
Gifts of the Land: Spring Thanksgiving Celebration
Through games, storytelling, and other activities, visitors explore ways to make healthy food choices. Enjoy the traditional music of Mystic River Drum singers Kenny and Tyson Merrick, who explain how in Native cultures, Eagle is a messenger representing balance, courage, strength, and wisdom. Traditional games scheduled for the Farmstead. Free with Museum admission, free to Museum members.