October 9 is Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and November is Native American Heritage Month. We are proud to join communities across the state to celebrate the history, cultures and contributions of Indigenous People. Join us for events that highlight the beauty, and traditions of the many Indigenous cultures and people living in Massachusetts.

Our Lands, Our Home, Our Heart / Nda’keenã, Weekeyaak, Nda’anã”Located: The Mission House in Stockbridge, MA, from May 26, 2023 – November 18, 2023

This exhibit covers a wide range of topics including an overview of Mohican history, the Tribe’s historic relationship with The Trustees, information about the community today, the work of the Historic Preservation Office in the homelands, and displays of historic objects belonging to the Tribe. The Tribe curated and designed the exhibit from the archives of the Arvid E. Miller Memorial Library Museum, which houses the largest collection of Mohican documents and artifacts in the world.

In conjunction with the exhibit, there will  be an in-person speaker series on five fall weekends. The presentations will feature Tribal representatives sharing on topics such as indigenous education, traditional medicines and healing, and mapping historic sites. The exhibit and speaker series are co-sponsored by the Trustees of Reservations, Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area and the Clark Art Institute.

Wisdom Keeping: Abenaki Stories and Storytelling TraditionsLocated: Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, Ipswich, MA

In celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day 2023, storyteller Anne Jennison will give a performance of Traditional Abenaki stories at the Crane Estate in Ipswich, MA on October 9 at 1PM. The Crane Estate sits on part of the land also known as Agawam, within the traditional lands of the Pennacook Abenaki confederacy.

In this program, Anne Jennison, a traditional Northeast Woodlands Native American storyteller, begins and ends her performance with a traditional song accompanied by her frame drum and – in between – shares some of these Abenaki stories in a way that is interactive as well as entertaining.

Spotlight Talks with the CuratorLocated: Fruitlands Museum, Ipswich, MA

Join The Trustees Associate Curator of Native American Art, Tess Lukey, member of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head Aquinnah, for Spotlight Talks in the Wayside Gallery at Fruitlands Museum. Tess will share pieces from the Fruitlands Museum Native American collection, explain their significance and her research as work is underway to reimagine museum exhibitions.