Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe -
Illuminating Stories
Date: August 2021
Location: Pilgrim Hall Museum
Team: Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe, VPA Department Plymouth schools, Pilgrim Hall Museum
Technical Specs:
‘From appropriation to co-creation’
Summary
The CAC facilitated a three-day intensive artist-in-residence program where high school art students, art teachers, and tribal members used indigenous techniques for creating art that was then displayed at Pilgrim Hall Museum. Participants were also able to access and learn first hand about tribal lands and native ecology.
Photo: Emily Goonan/Plymouth Public Schools
Programming
Meclina Gomes designed a 3 day artist-in-residence program that facilitated a tribe-led dialogue about traditional land use, ecology and tribal art techniques. The program was open to local high school students and their art teachers. The participants had special access to tribal lands on which they hiked, foraged for berries that they later made into pigments and learned about the enduring relationship that exists between indigenous peoples and their traditional territories. The art that was produced was backlit - or illuminated - and displayed in the Pilgrim Hall Museum.
Photo: Emily Goonan/Plymouth Public Schools
An artist statements from the installation.
Community Need
One of the priorities of all CAC programming is inclusivity and because of the organization's roots in Plymouth we are remiss not to work with Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe, the traditional stewards of this land. There is an ongoing need to recognize the Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe and expand our sense of community through co-creation.
Photo: Emily Goonan/Plymouth Public Schools
Impact
This particular program was effective in producing an opportunity for cultural co-creation with the Herring Pond / Wampanoag Tribe. The programming, led by the tribe, raised their profile in the greater community while teaching high school students about traditional methods of producing visual art.
“Their creativity and tenacious spirits are an inspiration to everyone they come in contact with, and it’s easily evident how much they genuinely care about their mission, their community and respect and honor the inherent rights of Indigenous people. They are dignified, trusted friends and allies, and we cannot thank them enough for their continued support and loyalty. ”