Triple Header for Abenaki Artists at Lake Champlain Maritime Museum

VERGENNES, Vt. - June 17, 2015 - PRLog -- Native American artists will be exhibiting and demonstrating their art as well as performing traditional music and dances at the Abenaki Heritage Celebration at Lake Champlain Maritime Museum (LCMM) on June 27 and 28. Governor Peter Shumlin signed legislation in 2011 and 2012 to recognize four of Vermont’s Abenaki Tribes.  Soon after, artists from the Elnu, Koasek, Missiquoi and Nulhegan Abenaki Tribes came together to form an inter-tribal arts organization, the Vermont Abenaki Artists Association (VAAA). The VAAA coordinates the Native Arts Marketplace with demonstrations and works for sale by artists at the event.

Join Vermont’s indigenous people in a celebration of their vibrant history and culture.  “There’s something for everyone at the Annual Abenaki Heritage Celebration” says Vera Longtoe Sheehan, Director of the Vermont Abenaki Artists Association (VAAA).  There will be traditional Abenaki music performances by the Voices of the Koas, Nulhegan Drum and the Circle of Courage Youth Group.

History buffs will want to see the historic Abenaki encampment and attend the opening of a special exhibit, Parley and Protocol: Abenaki Diplomacy Past and Present on Sunday morning. Companion programs include a panel discussion about Living History led byMelody Walker, Adjunct Professor at Johnson State College, and opportunities to meet the artists whose work is in the exhibit.

Additional opportunities to meet artists and watch demonstrations will be available in the Native American Arts Marketplace.  Jim Taylor will demonstrate how to make wampum beads while Linda Longtoe Sheehan weaves a wampum belt similar to those in the Parley and Protocol exhibit.  Some of the items for sale will include baskets, wampum, carvings, drums, rattles, t-shirts, jewelry and books.

Join the Abenaki people of Vermont in the celebration of their rich history!  It will be a fun filled weekend of music, dance, story-telling, history and art.  Please visit LCMM’s event page for an itinerary http://www.lcmm.org/museum_info/native-american-encampment.html

About the Vermont Abenaki Artists Association (VAAA)

Our mission is to promote Vermont's Indigenous arts and artists, to provide an organized central place to share creative ideas and professional development as entrepreneurs, and to have a method for the public to find and engage our artists. For more information about VAAA please visit http://abenakiart.org or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

About Lake Champlain Maritime Museum (LCMM)

LCMM presents underwater discoveries and lake adventures at their 14 building campus, open daily 10-5 through Oct. 11. For more information about programs and schedule of events at Basin Harbor and Burlington, www.lcmm.org or follow us on Facebook, or call 802 475-2022.

For more information, contact:

Vera Longtoe Sheehan, Director VAAA and Exhibit Curator abenaki@abenakiart.org

Eloise Beil, Director of Collections and Exhibits/Community Relations Manager, LCMM (802) 475-2022