First Light Traditional Ecological Knowledge: A Workshop for Teachers

First Light Traditional Ecological Knowledge: A Workshop for Teachers

June 24 – 26, 2025
9:00AM – 4:00PM

This three-day workshop will teach you how to incorporate ancient indigenous understanding into your curriculum to address today’s issues of sustainability. Learn directly from Wampanoag cultural education specialists. Visit places important to local and regional history that are still important today.

• Virtual callback meeting November 13, 6:00PM – 8:00PM
• 30 PDPS – Attend all sessions, implement with your class and report back with reflection paper and virtual presentations in November.
• Grades and subjects targeted: 2-12, interdisciplinary, STREAMSS (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, Math, and Social Studies)
• Open to all school districts
• Readings: Braiding Sweetgrass (Robin Wall Kimmerer), To Speak for the Trees (Diana Beresford-Kroeger)
• Limited rustic dormitory lodging (bunkbeds) available at the Waquoit Bay Reserve. First-come, first-served. Please contact jayne.dicandio@mass.gov.

Registration: Registration is required (space is limited).

Locations: Waquoit Bay Reserve, Old Indian Meeting House, Wampanoag Tribal Center, and the Mashpee Wampanoag Museum.

Planned Activities include: (final schedule TBA):

• The Big Concepts: To Speak for the Trees and Braiding Sweetgrass: Linda Coombs, Wampanoag Historian and Museum Educator
• Engineering design and traditional ecological knowledge related to Weekuw, Muhsh8n (traditional canoe), fishing weir: Darius Coombs, Cultural Outreach Coordinator
• Traditional foodways and connections to the bay: Kitty Hendricks, Cultural Outreach Specialist
• Traditional Wampanoag Lunches
• Three Sisters Garden, corn husk dolls and other hands-on activities
• How to choose culturally appropriate books and learning activities for your students. Sharing indigenous knowledge in the classroom
• Tour of Old Indian Meeting House, tour of the Mashpee Wampanoag Indian Museum and Herring run
• Tour of Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Center

 November 13, 2025: Virtual Evening Session: Attendees will present how you implemented resources in classroom. Turn in reflection paper (template will be provided).

Questions? Contact:  Kitty Hendricks, Cultural Education Specialist, Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, gertrude.hendricks@mwtribe-nsn.gov or Jayne DiCandio, School and Interpretive Program Coordinator, Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve,  jayne.dicandio@mass.gov

Co-Sponsors: Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, MA Department of Conservation and Recreation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Friend of Waquoit Bay Reserve