Tell us a little bit about your organization’s mission. Through partnership with Native peoples, exhibits, and workshops, Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum serves as a living center for artistic expression, traditional values, and contributions from past and contemporary Native life. The Museum embraces cultural diversity and encourages environmental action based upon respect for nature and a deeper understanding of Native cultures.
What does your organization offer to professionals in the Concord area? The museum cares for a wonderful collection of Native belongings from across the continent, which we use to educate visitors about Native culture, arts, and lifeways. We also host welcoming, family-friendly events, with the intent of sparking interest and conversations. MKIM is proud to have been recognized as one of the Top Ten Native American museums in the country.
Can you share a little bit about yourself, and your connection to this work? I have been actively involved with the museum since its inception, assisting in curation and display of the original collection. Founded in 1991, I served with the first cohort of museum trustees, and have participated in many of the committees and events that sustain the museum. I have had the honor to serve as Executive Director since 2018.
October 14 is Indigenous Peoples’ Day; why is this date important to you? The Town of Warner is among a growing number of New Hampshire communities who have chosen to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Many museum visitors are surprised to learn that the State of New Hampshire does not officially recognize any Indigenous Peoples, and there are no federally recognized reservations within the state. Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum strives to correct misconceptions about Indigenous peoples through education and in partnership with Indigenous communities throughout the state and beyond.