Learn about the Wabanaki of yesterday and today
In collaboration with Native American educators, the Wabanaki Program teaches Wabanaki material culture through hands-on experiences. The program is available to area school groups every October and takes place at Coastal Rivers’ Salt Bay Farm at 110 Belvedere Road in Damariscotta.
How to participate
There is no cost to AOS 93 schools or Lincoln Academy to participate. For schools outside AOS 93, the cost is $70/hour for teaching and prep time.
Please email Sarah Gladu with questions about the Wabanaki Program or to schedule your group.
Wabanaki Program Activities
The list below is a sampling of activities we typically offer. Activities may vary from year to year.
- Etch birch bark. Students learn about the importance of birch bark crafts to Wabanaki culture and create their own etchings.
- Listen to Wabanaki stories and learn about their importance to Wabanaki culture
- Take a wild edibles walk. Learn to identify some common wild edibles such as groundnut and wild carrots. Sampling is optional!
- Make cattail crafts. Cattails are a versatile plant with many traditional uses, including some parts that are edible.
- Experience a drumming and singing circle.
- Learn about the making of Coastal Rivers’ birch bark canoe and the importance of canoes to the Wabanaki.
- Play Wabanaki games.
- Work on a wigwam. Walk to the re-created village area and see grass-covered wigwams. Make grass bundles and tie them onto the wigwam frame.
Meet Wabanaki Educator Sandra Bassett
Originally from Sipayik, Sandra Bassett Peskotomuhkat now resides in Southern Maine. She graduated from the University of Southern Maine in 2021 with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a minor in Wabanaki Language (a program which she and her colleagues advocated to create). Sandra was the first person to be awarded a Certificate in Wabanaki Languages. She continues to work on her Passamaquoddy language and believes that is where her culture lives.
