Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a day to honor America’s first inhabitants and the tribal nations that continue to thrive today, will be celebrated at MKIM with free admission and a special program welcoming Native artists as they discuss their unique styles and creative processes. The artists in attendance will be Jill Cresey-Gross, Sheila Williams, Natalie Breen, Ed Bullock, and Kimberly-Ann Lussier. Also experience a “found art” activity using materials from nature – fun for the whole family!
Along with the artists, our friends from Manchester Community College are excited to share their experiences. This summer, a group from MCC traveled to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota to volunteer with Re-Member, a nonprofit organization serving the Oglala Lakota Nation. During their week of service, they built wheelchair ramps, installed outhouses, made bunk beds, and supported the community garden—while also learning about Lakota history and culture.
Free admission includes access to the museum, Medicine Woods, and Arboretum throughout the day during the museum hours of 10 am – 4 pm!
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Jill Cresey-Gross is a self-taught Abenaki beadwork artist from the Nulhegan Band of Coosuk Abenaki, who draws inspiration from traditional Northeast Native American beadwork to create contemporary and traditional works of beaded art. Jill works with Czech beads, cloth, and leather to create small purses and bags, moccasins, glengarry caps, skirts, and various beaded accessories for dance regalia. One of Jill’s beaded glengarry caps has been part of a traveling display in Vermont’s rest stops and ski areas since 2021, to showcase the craft of Vermont’s Abenaki people. Jill has been practicing her art for over 30 years and although self-taught, has learned much from her friends and mentors in her community about the connection of beadwork to culture and the sacred. Jill lives in Westford, Massachusetts with her family and, when not creating, enjoys attending Indigenous gatherings to dance and sing throughout New England as well as family camping trips. |
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Kimberly-Ann Lussier is an enrolled member of the Missisquoi band of Abenaki of northern Vermont and an experienced bead worker. Born and raised in southern New Hampshire, Kimberly-Ann has been involved in her culture all her life. She began beading at the age of 12 when she was taught by a family member and continues to learn and incorporate new techniques in her work today. She has made pieces for many friends, family members, and customers; she has also made pieces featured in Peacock’s series Rutherford Falls. Through each bead, she stitches resistance and remembrance. Her work honors the ancestors who walked before her, carrying their strength into the present.
“Beading is my voice-unyielding, radiant, and alive, proclaiming that Indigenous presence will never be erased.” |
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Sheila Williams is primarily a basket weaver using foraged and purchased materials such as reed, ash, birch, willow, and vine. Each material requires a slightly different technique in the processing, weaving, and finishing off of the work. Her key theme was adopted from the Arts and Crafts movement – “Beautiful and Useful”. Sheila grew up in a family of “makers” and was inspired to study textiles at the Rhode Island School of Design. She is a founding member of the Basketry Guild at the Lexington (MA) Arts and Crafts Society. Sheila has taught and demonstrated in many venues, hoping to inspire other future craftspeople. |
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Ed Bullock has been working with Sterling Silver for 25 years or more. The inspiration to get into metalsmithing came from necessity at The Little Bull doing simple repairs to watches and jewelry, as well as stone replacement and necklace restringing. From there, a night school course and 3 apprenticeships later he is making custom jewelry for people around the world. Ed will be on hand at MKIM on Monday, October 13 to answer questions and do a stamping demonstration, making a pair of earrings and a bracelet.
v Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum / 18 Highlawn Rd. / Warner NH
