MASHPEE ENTERPRISE
Highfield Hall & Gardens is partnering with the Wampanoag Tribe Education Department and members of the Wampanoag Tribal Nations to present “Teach, Learn, Share: A Wampanoag Cultural Series at Highfield.” Highfield will host programs and activities throughout October to raise awareness of the culture and history of local Tribes, whose ancestral lands include Cape Cod and the islands and reach to Marshfield and the Blue Hills.
This month-long cultural series includes a gallery exhibit featuring the Mashpee Wampanoag Whaling Panels Traveling Exhibit that will be on display at Highfield. This exhibit explores the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe's long history and involvement in the whaling industry. The exhibit highlights the personal stories and experiences of Mashpee whalers during the 19th century, a time when nearly half of the adult male Tribal members were involved in whaling.
The series includes free activities for children and families on Saturday, October 4, from 10 AM to 2 PM. Attendees will be able to enjoy a drop-in cornhusk doll craft and a demonstration of wampum taught by Tribe members. The Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers will perform at 12:30 PM. Admission to Highfield is free for the day. Children and families can also visit Highfield’s StoryWalk, which will feature the books “Pow Wow Day, Wampanoag Seasons,” and “Keepunumuk” throughout the month.
The community is also invited to explore Wampanoag culture through the following programs. Registration for events and additional information is at www.highfieldhall.org.
On Thursday, October 2, from 5:30 to 7 PM, Brad Lopes will give a cultural talk titled “Nutahshay8ôk P8tôp: My Family Whale.” Admission to the talk is $10, $15 for nonmembers.
A meet-the-author book event will take place on Saturday, October 11, with Carrie Anne Vanderhoop and Melanie Roderick from the Wôpanâak Language Reclamation Project. Vanderhoop is the author of ”Wôpanâak Seasons.” The talk is free and will take place at 10:30 AM.
There will be a culinary class in indigenous cooking featuring stuffed quahogs led by Kitty Hendricks Miller on Thursday, October 16, from 5:30 to 7 PM. The cost is $85, $75 for members.
“The Way of Wampum,” a Wampanoag talk with Linda Coombs, will take place on Thursday, October 23, from 5:30 to 7 PM. The cost is $15, $10 for members.
Wampanoag Cooking for Kids, a culinary class for children ages 7-plus led by Miller, will take place on Saturday, October 25, from 10:30 AM to noon. The cost is $50.
