Many of us celebrate the sweetness of corn that begins to ripen in early August as a high point of summer’s harvest. We are not alone in celebrating the golden deliciousness of corn. For Native American communities corn is an integral part of their annual lifecycle. For generations, many Native American communities have welcomed the season when corn ripens with a celebration. In recognition of this time-honored tradition, the Institute for American Indian Studies, located in Washington, CT, is holding its 17th annual Green Corn Festival on August 14 from Noon to 4:00 pm at Riverwalk Pavilion, 11a School Street, in Washington, CT.
The public is invited to join Museum Staff as they welcome the first corn of the summer 2022 season with flute music by Allan Madahbee (Ojibwe), drumming, dancing, children’s activities curated by the Institute’s staff, and traditional stories told by a professional Native American Storyteller. For shoppers and collectors, don’t miss the vendors that are selling Native American-inspired arts and crafts at a variety of price points. All the festivities are taking place in a beautiful park with a sheltered wooden pavilion, picnic tables, and plenty of free parking.
A highlight of the Green Corn Festival is the Native Nations Dance Troupe led by Erin Meeches, from the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation. Each dance performed has an uplifting and unique story or purpose. Some use movements that imitate animals and others represent an aspect of cultural significance. These traditional dances are sure to delight because they evoke the beauty, honor, and tradition of Native People. The dances will be accompanied by the Quahog Bay Drum Group led by Devin Wixon from the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Nation. The dancing will take place at 1 p.m. and at 3 p.m.
If you have worked up an appetite, no worries because at this year’s Green Corn Festival you will have the chance to try some authentic Native American cuisine and more. Yapopup, the Indigenous Soul Food Truck by Pueblo Chef Ryan Rainbird Taylor (Ohkay Owingeh) will be cooking up some of his favorite Native American traditional food. Another vendor, GV Bites Food Truck will be whipping up Columbian fusion food, and Polar Sweets Ice Cream will be serving up more than 40 flavors of ice cream that will help beat the heat!
Admission for this event held rain or shine, is $15 for Adults, $12 for seniors, $10 for children, $10 for IAIS Members, and free for members’ children. Pre-registration is greatly appreciated. Please visit the Institute’s website to register via Eventbrite.
About Green Corn
The expression “Green Corn” refers to the first ripened sweet corn that you can eat. The Green Corn Ceremony is marked with dancing, feasting, fasting, and religious observations. In the Eastern Woodland areas, Native people depended on three staples – corn, beans, and squash. These food items were so important that they were called “The Three Sisters.” The Three Sisters were mixed together to make a vegetable dish called succotash that is still popular today.
About Institute for American Indian Studies
Located on 15 acres of woodland acres the Institute For American Indian Studies preserves and educates through archeology, research, exhibitions, and programs. They have the 16th c. Algonquian Village, Award-Winning Wigwam Escape, and a museum with temporary and permanent displays of authentic artifacts from prehistory to the present 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.
No comments:
Post a Comment