Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center

Saturday, Feb. 4, 9 am – 5 pm
Free Admission for Kids!
The first Saturday of the month is free for children ages 15 and younger. Explore the exhibits, buy lunch in the cafeteria, and browse in the gift shop. Cannot be combined with any other offer.

Saturday, Feb. 4, 11 am–3 pm
Winter Survival Skills
Throughout the day on the Farmstead, Head Curator Steve Cook demonstrates winter survival skills commonly used in the past, including starting fires, dried and smoked food preparation, and identifying animal tracks. At 2:30 pm in the Auditorium, watch John Houston’s documentary, Diet of Souls, about the Inuit’s relationship with the animals he hunts. (48 min.) Free with Museum admission, free to Museum members.

Saturday, Feb. 4, 1 pm–2 pm
Finding Winter Food
Join Senior Researcher Dr. Jason Mancini to identify and locate important foods for winter survival. Food and beverage samples provided. Dress appropriately and bring snowshoes if there is snow. The ethnobotany walk begins on the Farmstead. Limited to 25. Free with Museum admission, free to Museum members. Call (800) 411-9671 or email seleazer@mptn-nsn.gov by Feb. 3 to register.

Saturdays, Feb. 4, 11, 18, & 25, 2 pm
February Film Series: The Legacy of Indian Boarding Schools
Each Saturday in February, the film series features one of four important, emotional, and hard-hitting films about Indian boarding or residential schools in the United States and Canada during the 19th and 20th centuries. Due to mature content, the films are recommended for ages 16 and older. All films start at 2 pm. Free with Museum admission, free to Museum members.

Saturday, Feb. 4, 2 pm
In the White Man’s Image
This 1991 film introduces Indian boarding schools. The Carlisle Indian School in Pennsylvania was designed to remove Indian children from the influence of their parents and communities to, as founder Capt. Richard Pratt said, "kill the Indian, and save the man." (58 min.)

Saturday, Feb. 11, 2 pm
Older than America with Georgina Lightning
Georgina Lightning (Cree) wrote and directed Older than America, the story of a woman beset by visions that led her to an abandoned Indian boarding school. The 2006 film’s award-wining cast includes Georgina Lightning, who talks about directing this film after the viewing. (101 min.)

Saturday, Feb. 18, 2 pm
Unseen Tears with Michael Martin
Survivors of the Thomas Indian School and the Mohawk Institute speak of traumatic separation from families, abuse, and a systematic assault on their language and culture. Following the film, Michael Martin, Onondaga of the Beaver Clan and one of the film’s producers, discusses it with the audience. (30 min.)

Saturday, Feb. 25, 2 pm
Unrepentant with Kevin Annett
Unrepentant documents the abuse in Canada’s church-run Indian residential schools and clergyman Kevin Annett’s efforts to document and make public these crimes. Kevin Annett leads viewers in discussion following the showing. (105 min.)

Saturday, Feb. 11, 10 am–noon
Forgotten Trails, Forgotten Sites: Frozen Swamp Walk
Join Senior Researcher Dr. Jason Mancini and Candyce Testa (Pequot) on a winter trek in the 500-acre Great Cedar Swamp to explore its various habitats, resources, and archaeological sites. If there is snow, bring snowshoes. Limited to 25. $15/$5 Museum members. Call (800) 411-9671 or seleazer@mptn-nsn.gov by Feb. 10 to register.

Saturday, Feb. 18, 10:30 am–noon & 1:30–3 pm
Forensic Archaeology Workshops & Lunch
Members Only. Join Head Conservator Douglas Currie in the Conservation Laboratory to learn about the techniques used by forensic archaeologists as they discover the stories behind excavated artifacts. Two sessions: one at 10:30 am and the second at 1:30 pm, with lunch at noon for both. $30 per person. Limited to 15 per session, ages 16 and older. RSVP by Feb. 11 to Sarah Eleazer at (860) 396-6890 or seleazer@mptn-nsn.gov. Snow date is Feb. 25.

Wednesday & Thursday, Feb. 22 & 23, 2 pm
New England Dogsledding
Steve Crone from New England Dogsledding brings his Alaskan huskies for an educational program on dogsledding in New England. These huskies are known for their strength and working ability – they can run 80 to 150 miles per day. Join us in the Gathering Space for this one-of-a-kind event! Free with Museum admission, free to Museum members.