SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs History Museum will present two special educational programs focused on treasured aspects of the Native American heritage of the region.
The events have been planned in tandem with the History Museum’s recently opened exhibit “First Saratogians: The Indigenous Peoples of the Saratoga Springs Region.”
“Animal Tracks, Trails and Lore with James Bruchac”- Saturday, Oct. 28, 1 – 2:30 p.m. In this workshop, wildlife educator, storyteller, and Ndakinna Education Center Director James Bruchac, author of the popular Falcon pocket guide Scats & Tracks of the Northeast, will include track-based information on such regional mammals as fox, raccoon, deer, black bear, coyote, bobcat, moose and more. Along the way he will also share a few traditional Native legends pertaining to the animals. Through the use of his vast collection of plaster casts of various animal tracks and more, participants will greatly increase their chances of identifying the tracks of some of our area’s most prevalent and exciting creatures.
“Native Language Workshop: Abenaki, with Jesse Bruchac” - Saturday, Nov. 11, 1 – 2:30 p.m. Led by Jesse Bowman Bruchac, Language Director at Ndakinna Education Center and, like his brother James, a citizen of the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation. This transformative program introduces foundational intricacies of Algonquian languages alongside original songs written to enhance accessibility and memorability. Participants will also learn how our perceptions of self and the surrounding world are molded by linguistic constructs. Jesse teaches at Middlebury College and the University of Southern Maine, and he has consulted on series such as AMC’s “Turn: Washington’s Spies” and PBS’s “Jamestown.”
Participation fee for both workshops is $10 for History Museum Members, and $15 for non-Members, available at saratogahistory.org/events. Workshop size is limited to 30.
The Saratoga Springs History Museum, founded in 1883, has been located since 1911 in the Canfield Casino in Congress Park.
