A highly engaging and powerfully informative immersive experience. Prepare to be changed forever. Annawon Weeden will take on characters of different time periods throughout colonization to help audiences see the impacts that resulted in the evolution of the Native American community as people today.
Take a walk-through time. Feel the sense of freedom that can only be found prior to colonization. Experience the dynamics of what it was like to take part in the first encounter of Europeans arriving to be discovered by the inhabitants of Turtle Island. Hear more from Squanto and how helpful he truly was. Witness the ferocity of an agitated King Phillip. See how slavery impacted the New England region as well as how whaling also shaped the identity of New England tribes today.
All this, and authentic indigenous cuisine from Sly Fox Den's very own, award winning, Sherri Pocknett. Theatrical role play, educational time travel experience, and authentic cuisine – this is not one to be missed!
Additionally, there will be a fire-side chat moderated by Elisabeth Abyeta. To learn more about our special guests, read below.
Sherry Pocknett is a Mashpee Wampanoag chef and caterer. She is the owner of the Sly Fox Den Too restaurant in Charlestown, Rhode Island. In 2023, Pocknett received the James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Northeast. She is the first Indigenous woman to be honored by the James Beard Foundation
Born and raised in the tribal community of Charlestown, R.I., with Mashpee Wampanoag, Narragansett/Pequot lineage through his father. Following in his father’s footsteps, Annawon Weeden began sharing the culture of his tribes with his family during public programs and performances at a young age. As an adult, Annawon’s passion for preserving the culture has been clear throughout decades spent working at Plymouth Plantation as a museum interpreter and outreach educator, as well as the Boston Children’s Museum as a Native program specialist.
Coming from the diverse state of New Mexico, Elisabeth Abeyta holds a strong connection to their family's roots in the UTE and Sandia tribes. Currently engaged in groundbreaking cancer research in precision medicine at MIT and is actively pursuing MD-PhD programs. Their primary mission is to champion health equity, with a particular focus on improving healthcare access for Native American and Latino communities. They are one of 0.3% of scientists of Native American heritage.
Elisabeth is dedicated to leveraging their research and medical training to address healthcare disparities, ensuring that the advantages of precision medicine are accessible to all, regardless of their background. Their journey is inspired by the belief that diversity and inclusivity are vital for advancing science and medicine, and Elisabeth is committed to making a meaningful impact in these fields.