Saturday March 11
NATIVE ARCHITECTURE
ON NANTUCKET ISLAND
Archaeologist Mary Lynne Rainey, New England Regional Manager for the archaeological firm of Gray & Pape, Inc., shares her findings on the historical Native American architecture, domestic as well as institutional, of Nantucket in a slide presentation and discussion. Analysis of five archaeological sites has provided new insights into the diversity of indigenous structures, including sizes, shapes, internal elements and construction materials. Wigwams remained in use on Nantucket until the late 1700s and took a variety of forms for different purposes. At 1 pm in the auditorium lobby.
Saturday March 18
NATIVE WOMEN IN AMERICAN SOCIETY
Poet, storyteller and educator Reyna Green (Cherokee) explores the lives of Native women, both contemporary and historic, in celebration of Women in History Month. The first American Indian to receive a Ph.D. in Folklore and the author of "Women in American Indian Society," Ms. Green's writings explore the joys and pain, strength and courage, dislocation and unification of Native women's experience. In this 45-minute talk, she discusses the importance of identity and changing trends in how Native women are perceived. At 1 pm in the Gathering Space, free with museum admission, free to museum members.
Wednesday March 22
EVAN T. PRITCHARD:
AUTHOR AND POET
The Native American Author Series presents Micmac author, musician and linguist Evan Pritchard, who reads from and discusses his new book "Native American Stories of the Sacred." Director of the Center for Algonquin Culture in Woodstock, NY and professor of Native American Studies and philosophy at Marist College, Pritchard carefully retells in his book traditional stories as teaching tales that contain elegantly simple illustrations of time-honored truths. From creation to "Why?" stories that help explain the natural world, the tales in this volume highlight the sacredness of life and remind the reader that the we belong to the earth, not vice versa. Whether the plot centers on a humble muskrat, a creative water spider or White Buffalo Calf Woman's gift of the sacred pipe, the lessons are self-evident and inspiring. Pritchard explains the cultural significance of mundane objects in the stories and draws comparisons between Native spirituality and that of other religions such as Christianity, Jewish and Buddhism. Copies of his new book will be available to be signed by the author, along with other books, such as "No Word for Time," "Native New Yorkers" and "The Secrets of Whole Hearted Thinking." From 7-8 pm in the Research Library, free.
Saturday March 18
NEW UNDERSTANDINGS ABOUT
NEW ENGLAND NATIVE PEOPLE
Elementary and middle school teachers and curriculum developers can update their Native Culture Unit with new insights into Native people of southern New England in this workshop with its focus on four major concepts: environment and resources, culture and diversity, adaptation and change and discrimination and conflict. Joining presenter Trudie Lamb Richmond (Schaghticoke) is Native author and educator Rayna Green (Cherokee) who leads a roundtable discussion on the misconceptions and stereotypes regarding Native women. Resource materials and bibliographies plus hands-on activities included. From 10 to 4 pm in the Atrium Classroom, maximum 25, $35/$25 for museum members, call 800-411-9671 to register. Teachers earn .6 CEUs
Saturday March 25
FISHING WITHOUT POLES
How did Native people in New England fish without reels and poles? They used nets, traps, even spears. They also built weirs using their knowledge of rivers and how fish migrate upstream during the spring. There are lots of ways to build weirs and you can try your hand at fashioning a model from foam core, wooden sticks and braided string that you can take home. While you work you learn about the fish weirs that archaeologists have discovered under the streets of Boston. Also offered April 18. From 1 to 2:30 pm in the large museum classroom, limited to 10, $15/$10 for museum members, call 800-411-9671.
Saturday March 25
QUILTING WITH SARAH RUNNING CRANE
Lakota Quilter Sarah Running Crane from the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota shares her quilts, her techniques and the stories behind her creations as part of a celebration of women and the special quilting exhibit "To Honor and Comfort" in the Mashantucket Gallery. The young quilter, who was taught by her grandmother Alice Four Horses, displays various stitches and patterns. Afterwards join museum educators for a half-hour guided tour of the new exhibit and the various quilts from tribal nations across the country. From 1 to 2 pm in the Mashantucket Gallery, meet in the Gathering Space, free with museum admission, free to museum members.
