On Saturday, March 18, the Institute for American Indian Studies partnered with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Steep Rock Association, and the Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition to celebrate World Water Day. This event is being held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds of the Institute at 38 Curtis Road in Washington, Connecticut.

Water is one of the most vital resources for all beings and has important cultural significance in many indigenous communities, not only as a source of life but also as a source of medicine and healing. The Institute is celebrating World Water Day, an initiative by the United Nations, with a series of fun and educational activities.

The day kicks off with a hike to the Shepaug River with Matt Devine, a fisheries biologist with Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, to learn how to identify a healthy river ecosystem. This experience gives people the opportunity to learn about the importance of sampling, studying, and enhancing fisheries from a scientist that has done this work for more than 12 years. Participants will also gain insight into how local indigenous cultures have used water throughout time.

In the afternoon, the Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition will present an interactive program on springtime vernal pools and their importance to the local ecosystem. A highlight is to find out which organisms only use vernal pools to raise their young in a pop-up exhibit featuring a fascinating variety of aquariums and terrariums.

If you like to make things and have fun learning at the same time, don’t miss the chance to create a cornhusk dragonfly with an IAIS educator, that you can take home as a memento of the day. While making the dragonfly, learn about its significance and importance to the indigenous and scientific communities.

The day concludes with story time with IAIS Educator, Irene Norman (Mohawk descent) who will tell both traditional and contemporary Native American stories that have connections to water.

Not to be missed while at this event is the current exhibition at the Institute, “Nebizun: Water is Life” that will be on view through the end of March. This exhibition introduces visitors to the Abenaki worldview of the importance of water and features artwork by Abenaki artists of the Champlain Valley and the Connecticut River Valley.

The tickets for the morning and afternoon portions of this program are $12 for non-members, and $8 for members, respectively. Space is limited so pre-registration is requested. To register visit http://www.iaismuseum.org, email [email protected] or call 860-868-0518. If you are spending the day, it is advisable to pack a brown bag lunch and to dress appropriately if you are planning to participate in outdoor activities.

About The Institute for American Indian Studies

Located on 15 acres of woodland acres the Institute For American Indian Studies preserves and educates through archeology, research, exhibitions, and programs. They have a 16^th c. Algonquian Village, Award-Winning Wigwam Escape, and a museum with temporary and permanent displays of authentic artifacts from prehistory to the present allow visitors to foster a new understanding of the world and the history and culture of Native Americans. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located at 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT.