Hand Drum Workshop

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

Saturday, February 24th 11:00AM - 1:00PM Drums have been an important part of Native American cultures throughout the Americas for centuries. Learn about the history of these instruments, as well as their continued importance to Native American culture as you make your very own rawhide drum. The drums made in this workshop will be 14” […]

Sunday Fun Day Workshop – Birch Trees: Peeling Back the Layers

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

Sunday, March 17th 1:00PM - 3:00PM The IAIS Education Department frequently offers family-friendly educational workshops on Sunday afternoons.  This year, many of our Sunday Fun Day workshops feature the teachings of trees and the power of plants, which indigenous communities have been carefully stewarding for thousands of years. For this month’s workshop, we’re focusing on […]

Moccasin Workshop with Darlene Kascak

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

Sunday, March 30th 11:00AM - 2:00PM Did you know: the word moccasin comes from the Algonkian word meaning shoe or footwear? Traditional Native American clothing varies widely from tribe to tribe, but nearly one universal element has been the moccasin. This sturdy slipper-shaped type of shoe was sewn from tanned animal hides. Join Darlene Kascak, […]

Brick Stitch Beading Workshop with Eva Newell

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

Saturday, May 11th1:00PM - 3:00PMFor thousands of years, many 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 […]

Bark Rattle Workshop with Richard Chrisjohn

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

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 […]

Cordage Creation Workshop with Susan Scherf

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

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 […]

Brick Stitch Beading Workshop with Eva Newell

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

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 […]

Traditional Pottery Workshop with IAIS Research Department

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

Sunday, October 27th1PM - 4PM In conjunction with our new temporary exhibit Earth, Water; Aired and Fired about the process of pottery creation in traditional Indigenous communities, join a hands-on pottery workshop led by the IAIS Research Department. Participants will learn about elements of traditional pottery, including clay sourcing, temper, building methods, surface treatment, decoration […]

An A-Maize-ing Workshop: Corn Husk Weaving

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

Saturday, November 23rd1PM Indigenous peoples in South America began the process of domesticating corn, or maize, over 7,000 years ago. Over centuries of cross-pollination and cultural exchange, indigenous communities throughout the Americas helped to create hundreds of varieties of corn. Traditionally, corn was grown not just for eating, but for making everyday items and artwork, […]

Sunday Fun Day Workshop – Jewelry Workshop

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

Sunday, January 26 1PM - 3PMIn this month’s Sunday Fun Day workshop, express your creativity while learning about the world around you and connecting with a culture that has thousands of years of history in this area. For thousands of years, many Native peoples have decorated clothing and items with materials found in nature, such […]