Old Sturbridge Village to Host Native American Weekend

Friday, March 01, 2013

Jeffrey Starr, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

The "Indian Doctress" Molly Geet portrayed by Marge Bruchac

This weekend is Native American weekend at Old Sturbridge Village. Some of New England's most noted authorities on Native American folkways, food, music, and crafts will gather there on Saturday and Sunday, March 2 and 3, for many special activities at the museum's first event of this kind.

"Today, too many school curriculums do not include enough about the Native American experience. At Old Sturbridge Village, visitors can learn a lot about the culture, and interact with the Native American performers," said Ann Lindblad of Old sturbridge Village.

Among the most exciting and notable activities over the two day span will be Noted Nipmuck flute maker Hawk Henries demonstrating flute-making and playing music on a variety of traditional hand-made eastern woodlands flutes. He has an impressive resume. A member of the Chaubunagungamaug band of the Nipmuck tribe, Hawk Henries has been composing original music and making Eastern Woodlands flutes for more than 22 years. He has performed at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, and in England with the London Mozart Players.

In addition, famous "Indian Doctress" Molly Geet (portrayed Marge Bruchac) will be presenting Algonkian Indian stories and Wooden Snowshoes and Fur Mittens: Algonkian Winter Fashions, and sharing facts and folklore behind native plants. Bruchac is a scholar, performer, and traditional Native singer and storyteller specializing in the traditions of northeastern Native American Indian peoples from the Colonial era to the present. Bruchac draws from historical anecdotes, traditional Native stories, songs and dance tunes.

Jeff and Judy Kalin of Primitive Technologies will also be participating by making Native American tools and demonstrating primitive cooking techniques over an open fire. Primitive Technologies specializes in the replication of Native American culture.

"This is a chance for historians and interpreters at Old Sturbridge Village to show the diversity that existed during the time period the Village portrays," said Lindblad.

"By the 1830s, Native Americans had assimilated into the New England culture, and many even dressed in the style of the day. Historians sometimes say they were “hiding in plain sight” at that time. Having a Native American Weekend is a chance for Old Sturbridge Village to bring their stories to the forefront."

Addition hands-on crafts and games with a Native American theme will be offered all weekend. Visitors are also invited to Horse-Drawn rides around the Mill Pond, attend a 19th century poetry reading, check out the Maple Sugar Camp and learn how to cook with maple sugar, or take a stroll through one of the village's many environment walks including the River, Woodland, and Pasture Walks.

"Old Sturbridge Village is a living, vibrant village – a place where visitors can see what everyday life was like in early New England. The Village is open year round, and the experience changes with the seasons. And with more than 50 special events presented throughout the year, there is something different to engage visitors each time they visit," said Lindblad.

For more information on Native American Weekend, including a detailed schedule of the goings-on, and other upcoming events at Old Sturbridge Village please visit the museum's website.