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Winter Wednesdays - Abenaki Storytellers of Ndakinna: Perspectives on Place and Culture

For this webinar we are honored to partner with leaders from the Abenaki people as they give their perspectives on place, culture, and community through storytelling, art, and music.

RSVP here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81642246375

Presenters

Chief Don Stevens of the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation - Chief Don Stevens is a writer, leader, lecturer and businessman. He is the former Chair of the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs, a current member of the Vermont Racial Disparities in the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Systems Advisory Panel, and serves on many boards and panels.

Melody Walker of the Elnu Abenaki Tribe - Melody Walker is an Abenaki educator, activist, and artist. She is a citizen of the Elnu Abenaki Band and has previously served as the vice chair and chair of the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs. She received her master's degree in history from the University of Vermont and within her community Melody has focused on cultural revitalization and concepts of personhood.  She is an adjunct professor at Northern Virginia Community College and has previously taught at Johnson State College as well as Champlain College. She is also a member of the VT Abenaki Artists Association and is a beadworker, finger weaver, and wampum reader. Melody was named one of USA Today’s Most Influential Women of the Century as part of the centennial celebration of the Suffrage Movement:

https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/life/women-of-the-century/2020/08/13/vermont-woman-history-montpelier-nobel-peace-prize-winner/5371888002/

Her Tedx talk can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFSRiQ2h6NY&t=449s 

Jesse Bruchac of the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation - Jesse is a storyteller, musician, Abenaki language instructor at Middlebury College, and co-director of the Ndakinna education center.

The Winter Wednedays series is a partnership project of the Worthen Library and South Hero Land Trust, with support from C.I.D.E.R. Funding made possible by members and donors of each organization, as well as grant funding from the American Libraries Association 'Libraries Transforming Community Grant'

All events are free. All are welcome. Please email worthenlibrary@gmail.com if you have any questions or concerns about accessing online content.