As part of our ongoing commitment to local food sovereignty, Hope’s Harvest RI is honored to have partnered with Rhode Island’s only museum centered on the indigenous peoples of our area, the Tomaquag Museum, located in Exeter RI, to share and discuss “Gather,” one of the season’s most talked-about documentaries.
A New York Time’s Critic’s Pick, “Gather” takes an intimate look at Native Americans across the United States reclaiming cultural, political, and spiritual identities through the food sovereignty movement. After watching the film, panelists gathered to discuss the film, Indigenous food systems, and how people are fighting for food sovereignty in our own communities.
As an Indigenous cultural education center, the Tomaquag Museum creates experiences and promotes thoughtful dialog to transform and broaden people’s perspectives, attitudes, and knowledge of Indigenous cultures. Watch this film and panel for an invaluable opportunity to learn and engage in a conversation about food justice in our community and across the nation.
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Watch the panel discussion here:
Meet the Panelists
Lorén M. Spears, Narragansett, Executive Director of Tomaquag Museum, holds a Master’s in Education and received a Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, from the University of Rhode Island for her dedicated work. She is an author, traditional artist, and shares her cultural knowledge with the public through museum programs.
Dawn Spears, Narragansett/Choctaw, Director of Northeast Indigenous Arts Alliance (NIAA), works to support the Native American artist population regionally by sharing resources and artist opportunities, addressing artist needs, and seeking ways to increase Native artist visibility in the northeast. Dawn has been teaching and demonstrating for over 25 years in many forms of art and still works creatively when time allows, exhibiting and selling at local galleries and markets.
Cassius Champlin Spears Sr., President of Rhode Island Association Conservation District (RIACD,) has dedicated his life to the preservation of Narragansett culture throughout New England and the world. Spears remains active in the practice of ethnobotany, traditional home building, and has demonstrated eastern woodlands culture at powwows, museums, college campuses, and film sets across North America. Spears’ passion for healthy traditional lifeways led to the establishment of the Narragansett Food Sovereignty Initiative.
Chef Sherry Pocknett, Mashpee Wampanoag, is the owner of Sly Fox Den Restaurant in Poquetanuck Bay, Connecticut. She cooks authentic Indigenous cuisine to celebrate and promote local Native American food traditions.
Resources
Our work has just begun. Check out the following resources to learn more and become active in the fight for Indigenous food justice and food sovereignty in our community:
Tomaquag Museum
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Events: Indigenous Sci-Fi Book Club on Tuesdays and Quarantine Creatives
The Narragansett Food Sovereignty Initiative
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The Sly Fox Den Restaurant
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