Join Vermont’s Native American community for Abenaki Heritage Weekend and Arts Marketplace on June 29-30 at Lake Champlain Maritime Museum to explore Abenaki perspectives on life in the Champlain Valley. Activities include storytelling, craft demonstrations, drumming, singing, and more. Bring a picnic basket for your lunch. Presented by Vermont Abenaki Artists Association, this event brings together citizens of the Elnu, Nulhegan, Koasek, and Missisquoi Abenaki Tribes.
We are so thankful for the ongoing support from our sponsors and partners Vermont Humanities, Vermont Arts Council, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Abenaki Alliance, and the Abenaki Arts & Education Center.
When: June 29 – 30, 2024
Where: Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, 4472 Basin Harbor Rd, Vergennes, VT 05491
Cost: $0
Directions: Click here for Google Map
About the 2024 Abenaki Heritage Weekend:
On June 29 – 30, 2024, citizens of the New England Abenaki community will gather at Lake Champlain Maritime Museum to celebrate their history and heritage, and the public was invited! Organized by the Vermont Abenaki Artists Association, this free event was open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.
One of the highlights is the Native Arts Marketplace of the Vermont Abenaki Artists Association, where visitors can talk to artists, watch craft demonstrations, and purchase outstanding beadwork, paintings, jewelry, wampum, woodwork, leatherwork, drums, and other items.
“The variety and quality of the work created by our Abenaki artists is outstanding,” said Vera Longtoe Sheehan, Executive Director of the Vermont Abenaki Artists Association. “Some of our artists create traditional art and some create contemporary art, often inspired by tradition. If you are looking to purchase a special gift or something new for your collection, be sure to visit the Native Arts Marketplace.”
Throughout the weekend there will be activities of interest to everyone. The public is advised to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy singing and drumming by the Nulhegan Drum. Children and adults alike will enjoy storytelling by Abenaki author and historian Joseph Bruchac.
Artists who will be giving presentations, demonstrating their crafts, and vending in the Arts Marketplace will continue to be updated.
Currently, we have the following artists scheduled:
Joseph Bruchac, Fred Wiseman, Patrick Lamphere, Morgan Lamphere, The Nulhegan Drum, Doug Bent, and Chief Shirly Hook
Thanks to Vermont Humanities, Vermont Arts Council, Vermont Folk Life, New England Foundation for the Arts, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vermont Department of Health, Abenaki Alliance, and the Abenaki Arts and Education Center for their sponsorship of the event.
Link for Accessibility information: ? For access questions, contact Elisa [email protected] or (802) 265-0092
For other questions, you may also email Francine at [email protected]
Special Programs that took place at the Abenaki Heritage Weekend in 2023:
- Storytelling by Joe Bruchac
- Nulhegan Abenaki Drum group
- Music and Storytelling by Francine Poitras Jones
Artists Featured in the Arts Marketplace
- Paul René Tamburro – hand-wrought heirloom quality silver and copper, wood carving, stone carving, and other traditional artwork
- Jim Taylor – wampum bead-making demonstration
- Jeanne Morningstar Kent – Gourds
- Linda Longtoe Sheehan – Wampum jewelry
- Roger Longtoe Sheehan
- Patrick Lamphere
- Morgan Lamphere
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Vermont Abenaki Artists Association is supported by the New England Foundation for the Arts through the New England Arts Resilience Fund, part of the United States Regional Arts Resilience Fund, an initiative of the U.S. Regional Arts Organizations and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, with major funding from the federal CARES Act from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Kchi Wliwni (A Big Thank You) to our Sponsors
