The Institute for American Indian Studies is Bringing Native American Stories and History To You!

Since you can't come to the Institute for Native American Studies, so the Institute is bringing the Museum to you, virtually! Although we're not able to welcome you on-site, our staff is doing everything we can to stay connected to you and to our community. While we're closed, we're using technology to keep us together. You can keep in touch with us on Facebook, Instagram, and through updates on our website, or you can email us at info@iais.org. We will be providing stories and learning experiences for you until we can be together again.

In the spirit of enjoying our museum from home we are inviting everyone to join us Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/IAISMuseum at 2 pm for the month of March for a new video series we are calling “Inside with IAIS.” On Wednesday, March 25, at 2 p.m. there will be a lesson in archaeology with the research staff that will reveal the finer points of this fascinating discipline. On Friday, March 27, join Darlene Kascak, Native American Storyteller as she weaves a tale of how the animals as we know and love today came to be. To finish off the month of March, on the 30^th kids are invited to explore the world of nature journaling by learning how to set up a journal that will help them record all their outdoor discoveries. Two videos have already appeared and can be found https://www.facebook.com/IAISMuseum.

At the end of March on our Museum Facebook Page, we will ask a series of questions related to our live Facebook Page Video Sessions. Answer all the questions correctly and be entered into a contest to win an amazing prize!

One way you can help the Institute for American Indian Studies during this time is to become a member. Our mission is to educate and preserve Native American history and culture and we need your help to accomplish this. Please click the link here and become a member today. As an IAIS Member, your benefits include Unlimited free admission to the museum, Reduced or free admission for special events, Discounted workshop and summer camp fees, Discounts in the IAIS Museum Shop, Quarterly Calendar of IAIS activities and workshops, invitations to exhibit openings and special events, and Your choice of one of four books as a welcoming gift.

About The Institute for American Indian StudiesLocated on 15 acres of woodland acres the Institute For American Indian Studies preserves and educates through archeology, research, exhibitions, and programs. They have the 16^th c. Algonquian Village, Award-Winning Wigwam Escape, and a museum with temporary and permanent displays of authentic artifacts from prehistory to the present that allows visitors to foster a new understanding of the world and the history and culture of Native Americans. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located on 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT.

Medicinal Monday- Dandelions - A super star of multiple uses

Many of us are familiar with this bright yellow flower as a stubborn weed that seems to pop up in sunny lawns, in the garden, in fields, playgrounds, and meadows. Whether you consider dandelions the bane of your garden and lawn or have a begrudging respect for them, this hardy little flower has many health benefits. Dandelions are revered by many Native American communities because every part of the dandelion is useful and can be used for food, medicine, and even dye for coloring.

About Dandelions

Dandelions are in the family of flowering plants that grow in many parts of the world, including Connecticut. Dandelions are a common meadow herb that is of the Asteraceae or sunflower family.  There are over 100 species of dandelions that are native to North America and Eurasia.  As an early spring flower, they are very important to birds, insects, and butterflies that consume their nectar or seeds.  One of their outstanding characteristics is that their toothed leaves always point back toward the center of the basal rosette.  Another characteristic is that each stem produces only one flower, there may be multiple stems but never multiple flowers on them.

Dandelion flowers don't need to be pollinated to form seeds resulting in offspring that are genetically identical to the parent plant.  The seeds of the dandelion are most often transported by the wind and travel like tiny parachutes for up to eight miles before reaching the ground.  The flowers open when it is sunny out and close at night.

Medicinal Uses

Dandelions were not originally native to North American and were brought here by Europeans in the 1600s.  The Ojibwas and Mohegans made a tea from dandelion leaves and drank this as an overall wellness tonic. They also boiled dandelions in water to treat kidney, skin and stomach problems including heartburn.  The Navajo, Ramah crushed the entire plant making a poultice that would be applied to swellings. The Tewa pulverized the leaves of the dandelion and mixed it with dough then applied this concoction to bad bruises.  The pulverized leaves were also used to treat bone fractures.

Did you know...

The name dandelion comes from the French and means lion's tooth.

The dandelion is the only flower that represents the 3 celestial bodies of the sun, moon, and stars. The yellow flower resembles the sun, the puffball resembles the moon and the dispersing seeds resemble the stars.

From root to flower dandelions are highly nutritious plants that are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. 

Dandelions are an excellent source of vitamins A, C, K, and E with small amounts of vitamin B.

Dandelion roots are rich in fiber and when made into a tea it supports the maintenance of healthy bacterial flora in your intestinal tract.

Dandelions are rich in antioxidants including polyphenols which are found in the flower, stem and roots of this plant.

The Institute for American Indian Studies

Located on 15 woodland acres the IAIS has an outdoor Three Sisters and Healing Plants Gardens as well as a replicated 16th c. Algonkian Village.  Inside the museum, authentic artifacts are displayed in permanent, semi-permanent and temporary exhibits from prehistory to the present that allows visitors a walk through time. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located on 38 Curtis Road in Washington Connecticut and can be reached online or by calling 860-868-0518.

The Institute for American Indian Studies preserves and educates through discovery and creativity the diverse traditions, vitality, and knowledge of Native American cultures. Through archaeology, the IAIS is able to build new understandings of the world and history of Native Americans, the focus is on stewardship and preservation.  This is achieved through workshops, special events, and education for students of all ages.

Medicinal Monday - Sacred Smoke - The Art of Smudging

These days health is on everyone's mind with the spread of the coronavirus.  Native Americans believe that natural herbs and plants affect the spirit and the soul of a person. This type of healing combines many elements such as spirituality, preparation, ceremonies, and rituals using natural preparations. Burning sage, for example, is a powerful ritual that has its roots in some Native American traditions. Today, many people burn sage to cleanse a space or environment of negative energy, to encourage wisdom and clarity, and to promote healing.

About Smudging
Smudging traditions vary depending on the location of a particular Native American community.  One factor is constant, smudging must be done carefully and with a positive frame of mind because you are communicating with the powers of the plants and the spirits of this ritual. Smudging must be completed with respect and honor if it is to work.

Smudging can be thought of as a purification ceremony - it is like bathing in sacred smoke, and the way to remove negative energy and to restore balance. According to the teachings of the Medicine Wheel, the four medicines are tobacco, sweetgrass, sage, and cedar. Tobacco comes from the east and represents balance. Sweetgrass comes from the south and represents kindness and attracts positive energy. Cedar is the western direction and represents harmony and wards off sickness. Sage is the northern direction and represents protection from negative energy and brings spiritual blessings. 

Sage and Smudging
Many people use sage in the smudging ceremony because it purifies your life from negativity. When smudging, use an abalone shell and light the herbs.  Fan the smoke with a feather, many use the feather of an eagle to keep the smoke active. The use of a feather is symbolic of our connection to the Creator.

Traditionally, when lighting the smudge, face east, the traditional direction of the beginning and of birth. After lighting the smudge, wash your hands in the smoke then bring the smoke to your eyes to see good things, your nose to smell good things, your mouth to say good things, and your ears to hear good things. You can also wash the smoke over your head, down your arms, past your heart to feel good things, down your legs, and behind your back.  You may want to offer thanks for all that is good in your life as this is time for reflection and connection to a higher power, your spiritual self, or whatever you are comfortable in believing in a positive way.

It is important to set the proper stage and attitude for your smudging ceremony. Set a time when you won't be distracted and use this ceremony to take away bad energy and to bring good energy to you. For a traditional healing video on smudging see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=db-Dxzf0CJw

The Gift Shop at the Museum has a supply of sage for smudging available for sale!

Wigwam Escape Is Temporarily Closed for Bookings

The health and safety of visitors, volunteers, and staff to the Institute for American Indian Studies has always been our highest priority. While IAIS has not been directly affected by COVID-19, we are monitoring the situation carefully and taking the recommended steps to slow the transmission of the virus. 

WIGWAM ESCAPE IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED for business and has always taken the health and safety of players seriously.  The following outlines the health and safety practices currently in place. The most important thing to remember about Wigwam Escape is that all bookings are private and that the game is played with people that you bring to the room with you. This means that your group will not share your escape room time slot with other groups and with people that you don't know.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 virus outbreak, Wigwam Escape & IAIS have established some new health and safety practices and improved some existing practices. 

Between each game: PROPS, DOOR HANDLES AND SURFACES ARE WIPED DOWN using disinfectant wipes & a bleach solution, which is the recommended cleaning approach for this virus. 

Room resets may take longer, while we spend additional time cleaning each room. The waiting area will also be disinfected between groups.

We are requesting that all players wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds or more prior to entering and after leaving the escape room. 

Our standard policy is for employees to stay home if they are ill, and to notify management immediately and go home if they get sick during a shift.

There is no fee to reschedule your group – if someone in your group is ill and you need to reschedule, there is no charge.

We will continue to monitor and adhere to established guidelines from CDC and local government agencies.