Enrolled Citizen of the ELNU ABENAKI TRIBE
Juried Artist since 2013
Lina Longtoe grew up in a family of artists and was exposed to multiple traditional and contemporary artistic disciplines. As a teenager, she realized so much culture was being lost with the passing of each Elder and sought to record history and traditions from older culture bearers. She began interviewing Elders, Chiefs, and artists.
Her first documentary “Speaking to the Ancestors” was screened at the Vermont Indigenous Celebration in 2009. The documentary chronicled the growing cycle, history of and usages of traditional tobacco.
Following the success of her first documentary, Lina created a short film series, which is on permanent exhibit at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. She has expanded her cultural documentation to the digital photography median as well. Lina’s films & photography have been exhibited in the Mid-Atlantic, New England states, and Canada. Lina also finger-weaves and twines.
Artist Statement
Through film, Lina Longtoe seeks to educate both Native and non-Native people alike through innovative shorts and featured length documentaries. Lina has served as the Elnu Abenaki Tribal Documentarian since she was a teenager.
Much of the Abenaki culture and it’s vast traditions are endangered with the passing of each Elder. Lina strives to record our history at every opportunity.
Her Artisan Spotlight Series and Abenaki Short Film Series are on permanent exhibit at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, located in Vergennes, VT. They have also screened at the American Museum of Natural History, Chimney Point State Historic Site, The Fort at No. 4, ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center and other sites across New England and Canada.
Lina is inspired by her grandfather who is a Culture Bearer of generations who were raised to hide and be ashamed of their heritage. She realized the ongoing threat to the continuity of knowledge about their people, crafts, and oral traditions and decided to help preserve her culture.
Contact
Email: [email protected]
Website: Askawobi Productions
YouTube: Lina Longtoe Channel
Facebook: facebook.com/askawobi
Twitter:twitter.com/askawobi
On Going Exhibits
2011 – present. Contact of Cultures, “Abenaki Short Film Series” Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, VT
2014 – present. Northeast Woodland Fiber Arts, Mt Kearsage Indian Museum, Warner, NH
Limited Engagement Exhibits
2017
Alnobak: Wearing Our Heritage. Traveling Exhibit. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum.
2016
Parley and Protocol: Abenaki Diplomacy Past and Present. Fort Necessity National Battlefield, Farmington, PA.
2015
Parley and Protocol: Abenaki Diplomacy Past and Present. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. Vergennes, VT.
2014
- Along the River, Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum, Warner, NH
- Giona Sezoha G’dakinna: We Paint Our Land, Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum, Warner, NH
- Traditional Sources, Contemporary Visions – Invitational Group Art Exhibit. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, VT
- All My Relations: Faces and Effigies from the Native World – – Invitational Group Art Exhibit, Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum, Warner, NH
2013
- Featured Artist at the Nor’Westers and Loyalist Museum, Ontairo, Canada
- Indigenous Fibert Art, MacDonell-Williamson House, Ontairo, Canada
- Containers. Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum, Warner, NH
Film Screenings and Presentations
2009 – present
Abenaki Short Film Series. American Museum of Natural History, NYC, NY
2016
Abenaki Cultural Weekend. Fort Necessity National Battlefield, Farmington, PA.
2012
- Presenter, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, VT
- “Meet the Artist” and film screening, Boston Children’s Museum, Boston, MA
2011
Presenter, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, VT
2010
Presenter, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, VT
2009
- Film Screening. “Vermont Indigenous Celebration,” ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center/Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, VT
In Permanent Collections
- “Abenaki Short Film Series,” Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, VT
- Fiber Art Photo Collection,” Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum, Warner, NH
- Twined Weaving Photo,” MacDonell-Williamson House, Ontario, Canada
Affiliations
Vermont Abenaki Artists Association