Wistariahurst Museum held a multi-dimensional celebration honoring Indigenous cultures. Bridging Voices, Deepening Understanding: Indigenous Heritage Celebration at Wistariahurst, brought together native artists, performers, and activists, to celebrate and bring awareness of the current situations Native American people are facing in the country.

The event included a scholarly discussion by guest speaker Rhonda Anderson, Western Massachusetts Commissioner on Indian Affairs; and the exhibition of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women painting project by Nayana LaFond; family storytelling in the native tradition by author Larry Spotted Crow Mann; music by Urban Thunder; and the work by artist Ella Alkiewicz.

In this discussion, we heard presentations by Anthony Melting Tallow, Rhonda Anderson, and Nayana LaFond.

The gallery at Wistariahurst displayed the work of guest artist Anthony Melting Tallow, Bo’taan’niis, (Flying Chief) A member of the Blackfoot nation and proud Two Spirit, Aya’kii’kas’si, (Walks A Journey Between), Melting Tallow’s work addresses land dispossession, residential school inter-generational trauma, reframing indigenous voices, misappropriation of native imagery, and violence against indigenous women.

Recorded on Saturday, November 5, 2022, at Wistariahurst Museum.