Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a day to honor America’s first inhabitants and the tribal nations that continue to thrive today, will be celebrated at MKIM with free admission, a nature-themed craft activity, and a special program: Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum proudly presents Stories from our Circle.
Join us in welcoming five authors as they discuss their unique books about Native cultures and perspectives!
Addmission includes access to the museum, Medicin Woods, and Arboretum throughout the day during the museum hours of 10:00 am - 4:00 pm!
Program Schedule:
10:30 am: Opening Words and Introductions
11:00 am: Book Sales and signing (all day)
1:00 pm: Family-Friendly Eco Art Activity (no glue!)
3:00 pm: Discussion and Q&A with Authors
Don Standing Bear Forest will be presenting his book, Warrior In Two Worlds: Healing From Broken Ways Finding True Identity.
“In this world of division, strife, fear, and pain, many of us suffer from broken ways, such as addictions, unhealthy relationships, and trying to be who we are not, in our effort to navigate this life and experience some enjoyment along the way. Don Standing Bear uses his gift of sharing his life’s stories: the good, the bad, and the ugly, holding nothing back, to take his reader on an inspirational journey of healing from broken ways.”
Don Standing Bear Forest identifies as Metis/Mi’kmaq/Abenaki/Huron/Adopted Gwich'in Athabaskan. To learn more, visit Don’s website.
Robert B. Whitehead will discuss his book Anpetu-Wi, the Story of “Scarface”, a Lakota Inspired Legend
Robert’s work with Lakota People began by running food and medical supply drives to Pine Ridge, Standing Rock and Cheyenne River Reservations. With this work he partnered with the Mission of Love Foundation out of Youngstown, Ohio. Together they refurbished the visitors center at Wounded Knee, built various single family homes on Pine Ridge and the hospice/dental center outside of Kyle. Among the close friends he made during this time were Guy Dull Knives, Delane Stands, Mary Fast Wolf, Kenny Kane, and Anita Bald Eagle who gave inspiration to this story.
Gail Brant-Terry and Dianne Sedore-McCoy will be presenting their lovely colorful and educational children’s book Tyowennatyerénhton First Words: An Introductory Mohawk Vocabulary Picture Book with English Translations
Gail Brant-Terry (Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory) is a mother, nanny, wife, sister and educator. She has over 34 years of experience in education as a teacher and administrator at the school, board and provincial levels. Gail is a retired board principal of Indigenous Education and is Co-Founder and Principal Consultant of Ridge Road Training & Consulting. Gail was the recipient of Indspire's 2020 Guiding the Journey Award for Leadership in Indigenous Education.
Dianne Sedore-McCoy is an educator with over 25 years experience as a classroom teacher, Curriculum Coordinator in Indigenous education, and a cultural advisor at the board level. She graduated from Queen's University Mohawk Language and Cultural program in 2020, and is certified in Specialized Expressive Arts Therapy through CiiAT (Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy). Dianne is an Honourary Lifetime Member of the Elementary Teacher's Federation of Ontario.
Gail and Dianne are committed to supporting Indigenous language revitalization efforts and honouring their responsibilities to be stewards of the land. Fostering a love and understanding of the Kanyén'keha language from infancy plays an important role in language revitalization. Our First Words book has been created in honour of mothers, the life givers. It is our hope that families will engage with our book to support keeping the language alive in their homes, lives and hearts.
Originally from Florida, Christine Nih’shaw has lived in New England for over 40 years and loves this land of the Abenaki (Missiquoi, Souhegan, and Amoskeag) and Penakuk (Pennacook) peoples. A self-proclaimed Imagination Expert, Sushi Addict, and Sea Glass Connoisseur, Christine is the author and illustrator of almost a dozen books for children. As a woman of Siksiká (Blackfeet) and Onondaga Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) blood, she is passionate about preserving our indigenous languages and cultures for current and future generations.
Her latest work includes collaborations with the Red Cloud Lakota School (Pine Ridge, South Dakota) and an educational advocate from the Mashpee Wampanoag Red Hawk Singers and Dancers (Mashpee, Massachusetts). She is a long-time member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators; NH Commission on Native American Affairs appointee; and certified Nutrition & Wellness coach, herbalist, and sound healer. To learn more, visit her site at www.christinenihshaw.com
At 1:00 pm. be sure to join in on a fun and nature-friendly eco-art activity that will spark creativity in the whole family! Because the eco-art is not permanent, no glue is necessary. We use dried natural materials: leaves, twigs, seeds or seed pods, berries, feathers, milkweed pods, dried grasses, flower heads, acorns, nuts, small shells or rocks, bark – basically any natural material that doesn't harm the plant or the environment. Participants can arrange this art on paper for a unique natural collage. We encourage photos to be taken so that the materials can be returned to the land.