Vermont Abenaki Artists Association is supported by the New England Foundation for the Arts’ Cultural Sustainability program, made possible by the Wallace Foundation.
When: June 13 – 14, 2026
Time: 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, 4472 Basin Harbor Rd, Vergennes, VT 05491
Cost: FREE
Directions: Click here for Google Map
Join Vermont’s Native American community for Abenaki Heritage Weekend and Native Arts Marketplace June 13-14 at Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, VT.
Admission FREE. Rain or shine.
Citizens of Vermont’s Elnu, Nulhegan, Koasek, and Missisquoi Tribes share perspectives on life in the Champlain Valley. Storytelling, craft demonstrations, drumming, singing, and a children’s play area. Featured arts include jewelry, wampum, quillwork, stonework, woodworking, and more.
Bring a picnic and lunch while you listen!
For questions or accommodations, contact: [email protected]
Presented through a partnership between Vermont Abenaki Artists Association, Abenaki Alliance, and Abenaki Arts & Education Center, and Lake Champlain Maritime Museum.
Vermont Abenaki Artists Association is supported by:
– New England Foundation for the Arts’ Cultural Sustainability program, made possible by the Wallace Foundation.
– Vermont Arts Council
– Vermont Humanities
– Vermont Community Foundation
Accessibility
Lake Champlain Maritime Museum is committed to making our museum visit accessible for all visitors. The Museum originally opened in 1985 and we have both historic and contemporary buildings on our grounds, all of which have an accessible entrance at grade level or with ramps. Approximately one-third of the Museum site consists of open grounds, which include gardens, grassy and natural areas, pine groves, picnic areas, gravel walkways, outdoor exhibits, and facilities for watercraft at North Harbor. Our waterfront is at the base of a steep gravel path and is not wheelchair accessible.
2025 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
This is an example of what you expect to experience at this coming 2026 event.
The updated schedule will be placed here closer to the event in June.
SATURDAY – June 14th
Museum Hours: 11 am to 4 pm
Ongoing Activities until 4:00pm
- Arts Marketplace (Boat Shed and on the Green)
- Art demonstrations in the Arts Marketplace (Boat Shed and on the Green)
- Children’s Activities: Abenaki Games, Make and Take (Boat Shed)
- Storytelling (Key to Liberty)
- Memory Art (Boat Shed)
- Open Door Clinic – FREE health screenings [Diabetes and Blood Pressure check] (Pine Grove)
11:00 – Greeting Song and Opening Remarks (Key to Liberty)
12:00 – Lunch and Listen: Nulhegan Abenaki Drum Group (Key to Liberty)
12:30 – Storytelling with Grandmother Willow Green (Key to Liberty)
1:00 – Something of Value: the Vermont Abenaki Community 1790 – 2020 (Book Talk), Frederick M. Wiseman, Ph.D. (Auditorium)
2:30 – Nulhegan Abenaki Drum Group (Key to Liberty)
3:00 – Storytelling with Chief Don Stevens (Key to Liberty)
3:30 – Introducing the Abenaki Cultural Conservancy, Joanne Crawford
4:00 – Closing
In the event of rain outdoor programs will be held in the Auditorium.
SUNDAY – June 15th
Museum Hours: 11 am to 4 pm
Ongoing Activities until 4:00 pm
- Arts Marketplace (Boat Shed and on the Green)
- Art demonstrations in the Arts Marketplace (Boat Shed and on the Green)
- Children’s Activities: Abenaki Games, Make and Take (Boat Shed
- Storytelling (Key to Liberty)
- Memory Art (Boat Shed)
- Open Door Clinic – FREE health screenings [Diabetes and Blood Pressure check] (Pine Grove)
11:00 – Greeting Song and Opening Remarks (Pine Grove)
11:30 – Storytelling with Chief Don Stevens (Key to Liberty)
12:00 – Lunch and Listen: Nulhegan Abenaki Drum Group (Key to Liberty)
1:00 – Earthshapers & Placemakers: Abenaki History in Deep Time, Margaret Bruchac, Ph.D. (Auditorium)
2:00 – Nulhegan Abenaki Drum Group (Key to Liberty)
2:30 – Storytelling with Grandmother Willow Green (Key to Liberty)
3:00 – Gallery Talk – Deep Roots, Strong Branches gallery talk with curator Vera Sheehan (Schoolhouse)
4:00 – Closing
In the event of rain outdoor programs will be held in the Auditorium.
Vendors Presenters Activities
Presentations – Note: These were the presenters for 2025 and will give you an idea of the types of presentations you can anticipate at the 2026 weekend. This information will be updated prior to the event in June 2026.
- Frederick M. Wiseman, Ph.D. – Something of Value: The Vermont Abenaki experience: 1790-2020
- Margaret Bruchac, Ph.D. – Earthshapers & Placemakers: Abenaki History in Deep Time
- Vera Sheehan – Deep Roots, Strong Branches Gallery talk
- Joanne Crawford – Introducing the Abenaki Cultural Conservancy
Ongoing Activities (sample from 2025 – to be updated prior to 2026 event)
- Children’s Abenaki Play Area (Ongoing)
- Native Arts Marketplace (see vendors/artists list below)
- Special Exhibit: Deep Roots, Strong Branches
- Nulhegan Drum
Cultural Tables (sample from 2025 – to be updated prior to 2026 event)
- Abenaki Cultural Conservancy
- Margaret Bruchac – Book Table
- Vermont Abenaki Artists Association
- Abenaki Arts & Education Center
- Vermont Abenaki Artists Association
- Abenaki Arts and Education Center
- Abenaki Health and Heritage
- Abenaki Play Group
Native Arts Marketplace (This is the 2025 vendor list – this list will be updated prior to the 2026 event)
- Linda Sheehan – jewelry made from wampum
- Chief Roger Longtoe Sheehan (Saturday only)
- Patrick and Morgan Lamphere – Wood work, stone work
- Kerry Wood: Ash Splint Baskets (Saturday only)
- Mike Descoteaux/Pat Leno: Drums, rattles, beadwork, jewelry
- Chief Don Stevens, Nulhegan Tribe – cultural information
- Liz Charlebois – Birchbark biting and jewelry
- Willow Green – Jewelry, accessories, and rattles
- Victoria Barry – Beaded jewelry, ribbon skirts
- Carol McGranaghan – Wildflower Jams and Jellies
June 13 – 14, 2026, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, VT
Kchi Wliwni (A Big Thank You) to our Supporters, Patrons, and Sponsors
Vermont Abenaki Artists Association is supported by the New England Foundation for the Arts’ Cultural Sustainability program, made possible by the Wallace Foundation.