Reading Circles at the Research Library

Poet and Professor of English Ron Welburn (Gingaskin & Assateague/Cherokee/African American) led a thoughtful and engaging discussion of Sherman Alexie's novel The Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian recently in the Research Library reading room.





For our next reading circle, which will be held on Saturday January 15, we will be discussing When Beaver Was Very Great, a collection of traditional stories and recent writings by Ojibwe elder storyteller Anne M. Dunn. The short pieces range from traditional stories to nature writing to contemporary stories of peace, justice, and environmental concerns. Trudie Lamb Richmond (Schaghticoke), storyteller and accomplished educator, will lead participants in a discussion on the telling of stories using Anne Dunn’s pieces as a guide. Participants may borrow copies of the book from the Research Library or purchase one in the Museum gift shop. Limited to 20 participants, ages 16 and older. Call (860) 396-6897 by Jan. 7 to register. Free. Snow date is Jan. 22.

Sherman Alexie Reading Circle Oct. 30

On Saturday October, 30 from 2-3:30 pm, a group discussion of the National Book Award winning novel The Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian will be held in the Mashantucket Pequot Museum Research Library. Written by Sherman Alexie (Spokane), the book is the semiautobiographical story of Arnold Spirit who leaves his reservation to attend high school in a neighboring town. The discussion will be led by Ron Welburn (Gingaskin & Assateague/Cherokee/African American), poet and Professor of English at Umass Amherst. Copies of the book may be borrowed from the Research Library and are available for purchase at the Museum gift shop. The discussion will be limited to 20 participants, age 16 and older. Please call the reference desk at 860-396-6897 by October 23 to register. Participation is free.

Two Old Women Reading Circle

Director of Public Programs, Trudie Lamb Richmond led a group discussion of the book Two Old Women by Velma Wallis, January 16 2010 at the Mashantucket Pequot Research Library.

Tarzan Brown Reading Circle

Our thanks go out to Paulla Dove Jennings and all who participated in our most recent Reading Circle where we discussed the biography of Narragansett marathoner Ellison "Tarzan" Brown. Ms. Jennings' personal insights into the Tarzan Brown story balanced out what was agreed to be a well documented but slightly impersonal account of the athlete. In the course of the discussion, it became clear that the research in Michael Ward's biography would make a great springboard for another author to build upon, perhaps focusing more on Brown's personal, family, and cultural background. Thanks again for making this event a success.

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.