Upcoming...
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Green Corn Festival
Saturday, August 7 11:00am - 3:00pm and
For many years corn has been an integral part of the annual cycle of life for most Native American peoples. Celebrate the time of year when the first corn is ready to be eaten at our Fifth Annual Green Corn Festival! Join us for an afternoon of traditional Eastern Woodland style song and dance with performances by the Wampanoag Dancers & Singers and Ojibwa artist Allan Madahbee. Fun filled activities for the whole family including face painting, kids’ crafts, storytelling and a taste of traditional foods! Local Native American artisans will be selling arts and crafts and IAIS staff will be preparing foods for sale.
Fee: $10 Adults; $6 Children
Funded in part by Union Savings Bank
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Indian Market
Saturday, August 7 11:00am - 4:00pm and
Sunday, August 8 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Once again we are hosting local Native American crafters, jewelers and artists for a special weekend around our Green Corn Festival , at our Indian Market. Take advantage of this time to meet and buy directly from the artists while learning about contemporary Native American art and cultures.
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July through September 2010
July | August | September
NEW EXHIBIT
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Kachina Dolls
The Kachina (Katsinas) Dolls of today’s art market are a bridge not only between the spiritual world and mortals but also between the Hopis, Navajo, Zuni and non-Natives.
The Hopi were the original Kachina Doll carvers, using a single piece of cottonwood root. Hopi men who dance as Kachinas would carve small wooden replicas of their Kachina appearance and present them to small children as gifts and as tools for educating the young.
Kachina dolls characterize many beings from Eagle, Owl, and Bear to Corn Maid, Clown and Hoop Dancer. The Navajo Kachina dolls on display represent a small example of the more than 250 different Kachinas.
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Observe the Living Traditions of Indian New England
Village Interpreter Program
from 12:00pm to 4:00pm on July 3, July 17, July 18, July 31, August 1, August 21, August 22, August 28 & August 29,
For the sixth consecutive year, IAIS will present its Village Interpreter Program. Members from a variety of Eastern Woodland Tribes staff our outdoor village and offer visitors a better understanding of the history, culture and social values of the Algonkian and Iroquois Peoples. The Native interpreters of Abenaki, Mi’Kmaq, Shinnecock, Mohawk, Passamaquoddy, Ojibwa and Cree descent will demonstrate traditional activities and lifeways skills as well as be available to answer questions concerning history, culture and contemporary Native American issues.
Supported by a grant from the Leever Foundation of Waterbury
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Litchfield Hills Archaeology Club
The LHAC will be meeting every Sunday throughout the summer from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm at this year's Archaeological Dig Site. If you are interested in joining the club and participating in the dig, please call Dr. Lucianne Lavin at 860-868-0518 or e-mail her. Pick up an application or download one by clicking here.
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JULY
Top of Page | August | September
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Artist Corner: JANIS US
The month of July, IAIS is featuring the jewelry and crafts of Janis Us (Mohawk-Shinnecock descent). Janis is a Native American Artist, Storyteller and Educator. A master at Iroquois raised beadwork, Janis learned this traditional art form from her father as a young girl. IAIS is proud to carry Janis’ jewelry in the museum gift shop.
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Dreamweaver
Saturday, July 10 11:00am to 1:00pm
Dreams are the language of the heart, a wish you control. To protect a sleeping person from bad dreams Native Americans have been hanging dreamcatchers on cradleboards and over their beds for centuries Join Dale Carson (Abenaki) in making your own dreamcatcher adorned with feathers, turquoise and shell. This workshop is designed for adults and children ages 7 and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited; reservations advised.
Fee: $12; $10 IAIS Members
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Take A Walk On The Wild Side
Saturday, July 24 12:30pm - 3:30pm
Summer is a wonderful time of year, full of many delicious foods found right in your own back yard. Milkweed, spice bush, lilies and Solomon seal are all awaiting your culinary delight! Take a Walk on the Wild Side with Primitive Skills Practitioner, Andrew Dobos, as he guides us in identifying, harvesting and preparing some common edibles while enjoying an afternoon hike. CT Educators may earn .3 CEUs
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Fee: $15; $12 IAIS Members |
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AUGUST
Top of Page | July | September
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Artist Corner: ARVIS DIONNE
The month of August, IAIS is featuring wampum jewelry handcrafted by Arvis Dionne (Mi’kmaq descent). Arvis creates unique, one-of-a-kind pieces combining traditional design with contemporary elements. Her work combining shells and copper reflects the Native American value of water and earth. IAIS is proud to carry Arvis’ jewelry in the museum gift shop.
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Green Corn Festival
Saturday, August 7 11:00am - 3:00pm
For many years corn has been an integral part of the annual cycle of life for most Native American peoples. Celebrate the time of year when the first corn is ready to be eaten at our Fifth Annual Green Corn Festival! Join us for an afternoon of traditional Eastern Woodland style song and dance with performances by the Wampanoag Dancers & Singers and Ojibwa artist Allan Madahbee. Fun filled activities for the whole family including face painting, kids’ crafts, storytelling and a taste of traditional foods! Local Native American artisans will be selling arts and crafts and IAIS staff will be preparing foods for sale.
Fee: $10 Adults; $6 Children
Funded in part by Union Savings Bank
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Indian Market
Saturday, August 7 11:00am - 4:00pm and
Sunday, August 8 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Once again we are hosting local Native American crafters, jewelers and artists for a special weekend around our Green Corn Festival , at our Indian Market. Take advantage of this time to meet and buy directly from the artists while learning about contemporary Native American art and cultures.
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Before the Bow & Arrow: An Atlatl Workshop
Saturday, August 14 11:00am - 2:00pm
Did you know that before the bow and arrow many Natives used atlatls to hunt? These dart throwers enabled the hunter to throw the dart faster and farther than by hand alone. Under the guidance of atlatl expert, Gary Nolf, you will learn about its history and the different designs of this ancient weapon before making your own atlatl and dart. Then you’ll test your skill and your craftsmanship with a just-for-fun competition. CT Educators may earn .3 CEUs
Space is limited; reservations required. Ages 12 and up (accompanied by an adult)
Fee: $20; $15 IAIS Members |
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Artifact Identification Day
Sunday, August 22 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Still wondering what that unique stone is or want to know more about the Native American basket that has been hanging on your wall all these years? IAIS Director of Research & Collections Dr. Lucianne Lavin will be available to identify artifacts and cultural items from your collections. With over 30 years experience in the field of Eastern Woodland archaeology, Dr. Lavin will lend her expertise. A limit of 12 items per visitor please.
Fee: included in regular museum admission ($5 Adults; $4.50 Seniors; $3 Children); IAIS Members free
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Spirit of the Drum
Saturday, August 28 11:00am - 2:30pm
The most important Native American instrument was and still is the drum...it is the heartbeat of Mother Earth. Terri Delahanty (Cree) will instruct participants in making their own single-face drum while sharing the importance of the drum in Native American culture. Ages 12 and up. Reservations and a non-refundable deposit of $50 is required by August 14th.
Fee: $150; $125 IAIS Members
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SEPTEMBER
Top of Page | July | August
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Artist Corner: MARK INGRAM
The month of September, IAIS is featuring pastel and graphite prints by African artist Mark Ingram . Mark’s subject matter is based on the human form in nature with a spiritual consciousness, or with the aura of the Great Spirit. IAIS is proud to carry Mark’s art in the museum gift shop.
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Poultices & Teas: Nature's First Aid
Saturday, September 4 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Before pharmacies and band aids, people relied on plants and flowers for healing. Join herbalist Dawyn Cloud Alter (Eastern Cherokee descent) and learn how to make herbal medicinal teas and poultices from things found right in your own home. Space is limited; reservations recommended. CT Educators may earn .2CEUs
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Fee: $15; $12 IAIS Members |
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Afro-Asiatic Flute
Sunday, September 12 12:30pm - 3:30pm
Where did the first flute come from? What was it made of? Learn the history of flutes as part of African and Asian cultures under the guidance of African artist and musician Mark Ingram. Using a few hand tools and a drill, workshop participants will construct a 6 or 7 note flute out of a bamboo pole. This workshop is appropriate for ages 16 and up. Space is limited; reservations recommended. CT Educators may earn .3 CEUs.
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Fee: $30; $25 IAIS Members |
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Woodland Pottery
Saturday, September 18 11:00am - 4:00pm and
Sunday, September 19 12:30pm - 4:30pm
Learn to replicate prehistoric pottery typical of the area we now call Connecticut. Join Jeff Kalin, Primitive Technologist of Cherokee descent, for a three-day workshop where participants will build, fire and use Woodland style pottery. The workshop will include two days of hand-building classical Woodland water jars and cooking pots, and culminate with a traditional firing in our outdoor Algonkian village at a date to be determined. CT Educators may earn .9 CEUs
Reservations and a $50 non-refundable deposit required by September 13
Fee: $150; $125 IAIS Members |
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Native American Heritage Walk
Sunday, September 19 2:00pm
Join Dr. Lucianne Lavin, IAIS’ Director of Research & Collections, for a walk along the museum’s nature trails, ending at our replicated 16th century Algonkian village. Along the way Dr. Lavin will provide a glimpse into the history and culture of the local Pootatuck tribal peoples including their community life, spirituality, and medicinal uses of the indigenous flora. Please wear sturdy walking shoes and dress weather appropriate.
This is a free event in conjunction with the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Organization’s Heritage Walks Weekend.
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