The Indians of the Missisquoi River Basin — 1800 to Today

On this Indigenous Peoples Day occurring on October 14th, the Friends of Missisquoi are honored to recognize the care of the Refuge’s lands and waters by the Abenaki. They will be hosting Fred Wisemen who will be presenting a program entitled: The Indians of the Missisquoi River Basin — 1800 to today.

The Missisquoi River basin covers a huge area of Northwestern Vermont, from Eden in central Vermont to the bird’s foot delta in the Missisquoi Wildlife Refuge.  He will explore the Indigenous people who have lived in the floodplains, uplands, and hills of the river basin for over 200 years.  He begins by exploring their “Indian” Identity through the eyes of local early 20th century officials who recorded their ethnicity on state and federal documents, then develops the idea of an “Indian community,” including social and geographic boundaries that tie the people together.  He then shares Indigenous stories, historic images, artifacts, and landscapes of the Basin.  The program will be supplemented by a slide show and display of original native made artifacts.   There will be time for questions and discussion. Please join us as we celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day and National Wildlife Refuge Week with this special presentation!