CT Open House Day

The Institute for American Indian Studies 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT, United States

Saturday, June 10 11:00am - 4pm In-Person Event 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? Test out your understanding of local Native […]

Rooted in Tradition: Giving Thanks To the Strawberry

The Institute for American Indian Studies 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT, United States

Saturday, June 17 1:00pm - 3pm In-Person Event When wild strawberries ripen, they represent life and good health. As the first local berry to ripen, they also herald the arrival of summer. Participate in family-friendly educational activities related to the gifts of this fruit, which holds significance to many Native American communities.Enjoy some strawberry refreshments […]

Rooted in Tradition: Guided Plants’ Walk with Jesse Rose Komaromi

The Institute for American Indian Studies 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT, United States

Saturday, August 12 11:00am In many traditional Indigenous worldviews, plants are considered to be our relatives, elders, and teachers. Join Jesse Rose Komaromi, Schaghticoke Tribal Nation, to embark on a guided journey of reclaiming relationships with the natural world through an Indigenous perspective. Embrace the wisdom of Nature as you immerse yourself in the woodland […]

18th Annual Green Corn Festival

River Walk Pavillion 11A School Street, Washington, CT, United States

Sunday, August 13th, 12:00pm - 4:00pm Outdoor Event, Rain or Shine Location: River Walk Pavilion, 11A School Street Washington, 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 […]

Let’s Get Fired Up! Traditional Pottery Workshop

The Institute for American Indian Studies 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT, United States

August 19 & 20  1:00 - 4:00pm each day Join a three-day workshop in which participants will be guided through the construction and pit-firing of their own clay vessel. Learn about elements of traditional pottery, including clay sourcing, temper, building methods, surface treatment, decoration and firing. Along the way, participants will learn about types of […]

Can You Canoe? Dugout Canoe Rides

Warren Town Beach 26D N Shore Rd, Warren, CT, United States

Sunday, August 27 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Dugout canoes were a major form of transportation for Native Americans in the Eastern Woodlands for thousands of years. These vessels would be carefully crafted out of a single log using stone tools and fire, and have been known to survive for thousands of years. The canoes […]

Walking With Both Eyes Open: Scientific and Indigenous Knowledge at IAIS

The Institute for American Indian Studies 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT, United States

Saturday, September 9 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Etuaptmumk is a Mi'kmaw saying that translates to "Two-Eyed Seeing." As attributed to Mi'kmaw Elder Albert Marshall, this concept refers to learning from one eye the strengths of Indigenous knowledge, and from the other eye the strengths of "Western" scientific knowledge. As part of the annual Housatonic […]

Finding Your Bearings at IAIS: Orienteering Workshop

The Institute for American Indian Studies 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT, United States

Sunday, October 15 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Throughout time, humans have used different techniques to navigate their surroundings and find a sense of place. These are still useful skills in case your GPS loses its signal!  Join IAIS Educator and Ecologist Susan Scherf for an interactive workshop in which participants will learn various methods […]

The Barkhamsted Lighthouse Book Talk with Dr. Ken Feder

The Institute for American Indian Studies 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT, United States

Sunday, October 29 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Deep in the woods of Barkhamsted, Connecticut archaeologist Ken Feder found a series of irregular cellar holes that led to an archaeological and genealogical investigation   into what had come to be known as the legend of the Barkhamsted Lighthouse. In the mid-1700s, Molly and James Chaugham, […]

Annual Veterans’ Day Ceremony

The Institute for American Indian Studies 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT, United States

Sunday, November 5 12:30 PM - 4:00 PM Did you know that Native Americans have served in the United States military with the highest record of service per capita when compared to any other ethnic group? Each year IAIS honors several local Native Americans who have served in the Armed Forces. This year, we will […]