Sunday, June 2nd10:00AM - 12:00PM Did you know that late spring and early summer is the best season to peel bark off of a tree? As such, it was the ideal time for local Native American communities to build and repair their traditional dwellings, crafts baskets, and make cordage for use in tool making and […]
Saturday, June 8th11:00AM - 4:00PM As part of the 20th annual Connecticut Open House Day, visit the Institute for American Indian Studies to learn about the more than 12,000-year history of Connecticut’s Native American inhabitants. Museum educators and docents will be offering introductory tours of the museum and replicated Algonkian village. Want a deeper dive? […]
Saturday, June 15th10:00AM - 12:00PM;1:00PM - 3:00PM For thousands of years, Native communities in the Eastern Woodlands lived in villages consisting of dome-shaped structures called wigwams, made out of saplings, bark and/or reeds. Our Replicated Algonkian Village is an important exhibit and teaching tool that thousands of students and visitors experience every year. Just as […]
Saturday, June 22nd10:00AM - 12:00PM Join Richard Chrisjohn (Oneida) for an interesting and informative workshop in which participants will make an elm bark rattle or bark rattle necklace. Chrisjohn is a fourth generation woodcarver who lives on the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation, Akwesasne, in Hogansburg, New York. Chrisjohn is also an advocate for Indigenous sovereignty […]
Saturday, July 20th1PM - 3PM For thousands of years, indigenous communities have used natural fibers to make everything from shelter, to fishing equipment, to clothing. Join IAIS Educator and Ecologist Susan Scherf for an exciting and educational workshop in which participants will learn about various plant fibers. Try your hand at weaving cordage from locally […]
Saturday, July 27th2PM - 4PM For generations, Native peoples have decorated clothing and items with materials found in nature, such as shell, stones, seeds and porcupine quills. In more recent centuries, multi-colored glass beads have become a favorite medium, as well. Join artist and educator Eva Newell (Pokanoket Tribe, Pokanoket Nation) for a beading workshop […]
Sunday, August 11th12PM - 4PMHollow Park, 43 Hollow Road, Woodbury, CT Corn is an integral part of the annual life cycle of Native American people. When the first tender ears are ripe for picking it is cause for celebration. Welcome the first corn of the season with exciting activities including drumming, dancing, children’s activities, flute […]
Saturday, September 14th6PMRiverwalk Pavilion, 11A School St, Washington Depot Savor local Indigenous foods of lobster, clams, corn, and potatoes as we come together to celebrate Indigenous peoples of Connecticut. This year we are proud to honor Indigenous artists who have enriched our lives with their work - our 2023 Emerging Artist Award recipient Claudine Purdue […]
Saturday, September 21st1PM - 3PM For thousands of years, cultures throughout the world, including many Native American communities, used bows and arrows for utilitarian purposes, such as hunting. In modern times, archery is often used for recreational purposes, but it can still be an exciting way to practice patience, dexterity, hand-eye coordination and other useful […]
Sunday, September 22nd1PM - 3PM In many indigenous communities, plants are considered teachers because there is much that we can learn from them. As part of the annual Housatonic Heritage Walks program, join IAIS staff for a guided walk along our museum trails and learn about scientific and Indigenous understandings of local plant life. End […]
