Joe and Jesse Bruchac

We are pleased to announce that Joe’s son Jesse is joining the storytelling program here on Nov. 2. Jesse is a graduate of Goddard College, where his thesis was the creation of a syllabus for teaching the Abenaki language, and has worked extensively over the last 15 years in projects involving the preservation of the Abenaki language, storytelling, music and traditional culture.

Watch this blog for more information about Jesse, Joe, Trudie, and Candyce who are the storytellers taking the stage on Nov. 2 at 1 pm.

Joe Bruchac: Storyteller

Is it too early to think about November? No! Mark your calendar now so you won’t forget to come on Saturday, November 2, 1-2:30 pm, to hear well-known storyteller and author Joseph Bruchac. His books and stories reflect his Abenaki roots and his lifelong interest in American Indian histories and cultures. Most of Joe's books are based on Native traditional teachings, and many of his stories are ones he’s learned from the elders. His enthusiastic storytelling is amazing; you “see” the animals, people, and events in his stories. Joining him to tell a story or two, are local storytellers, Trudie Lamb Richmond (Schaghticoke) and Candyce Testa (Pequot). Free with Museum admission, free to Museum members.

Reading Circles at MPMRC, Summer 2008

Over the summer, the Research Library hosted two book discussion groups featuring works by Native American authors. We would like to thank all those who participated for making these events a success.

Our next Reading Circle will be held on October 18 from 2:30-4 pm, when we will focus on Louise Erdrich's The Painted Drum. The discussion will be led by Lynne Williamson, director of the Connecticut Cultural Heritage Arts Program at the Institute for Community Research. To register, call (860) 396-6897.

Below are some pictures of the two previous Reading Circles. If you missed them, both sessions have been recorded to audio CD and may be listened to in the Research Libary.

Joyce Vincent, Associate Director of Native American Student Services at UMass Amherst leading the discussion on Sherman Alexie's Indian Killer.














Ron Welburn, UMass Amherst, discussing Bowman's Store by Joseph Bruchac on August 13, 2008.