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Wednesday 11am - 4pm Thursday 11am - 4pm Friday 11am - 4pm Saturday 11am - 4pm Sunday 11am - 4pm

The Institute for American Indian Studies

Name: The Institute for American Indian Studies
Address: 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT, 06793, US
Telephone: +18608680518
Price range: $

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The Institute for American Indian Studies

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IAIS is a museum, as well as an education and research center in Washington CT. IAIS is open year-round, seven days a week (except major U.S.

Join us in our mission to preserve and educate about the diverse traditions, vitality, and knowledge of Indigenous Cultures. The Institute for American Indian Studies (IAIS) museum, education and research center in Washington, CT opened its doors in 1975 as an outgrowth of local efforts to recover New England's, then largely unknown, indigenous history. IAIS' core values of preservation, education and sharing of Native American cultures, traditions and community from deep history to contemporary times are the foundations of our programs, lectures, events, workshops and research. holidays) offering 4 exhibit galleries, a Children's Discovery Room, replicated outdoor 16th century Algonkian village, the Four Directions Gift Shop plus outdoor gardens and trails along our 15 acres of woodland landscape. Come explore the past, engage with the present, and embrace Mother Earth at the Institute for American Indian Studies. Walk in the footsteps of Native Americans past and present and experience Life in the Woodlands!

10/12/2026

In mid-September 2026, the Penobscot Nation received the first installment “of what is expected to be one of the largest land returns ever between a U.S.-based nonprofit and a tribe.” These lands are being donated from the Trust for Public Land who received them in 2023 from timber harvesters with the expressed purpose of returning them to the Penobscot Nation. Once sufficient funds are raised, Penobscot Nation along with several other Wabanaki nations are set to receive an additional 39,000 acres.

The over 11,000 acres along the base of Mt. Katahdin surrounding Wáhsehtəkʷ (the East Branch of the Penobscot River) that was returned last month will enhance Indigenous authority and control over this culturally significant area, including increased access to resources that serve as the basis for continuing traditional lifeways and restoring sovereignty. With this recent addition, the Wabanaki Nations (Penobscot, Mi’kmaq, Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, Passamaquoddy) now hold 140,000 acres of their ancestral homelands–still only 1%. Once the full transfer is finished, the next step is to place these lands into a trust so as to further guarantee tribal sovereignty.

Follow the link to read the full article, “Recent land returns give Wabanaki Nations more authority over conservation, ancestral territory” by Emma Davis through Maine Morning Star: https://mainemorningstar.com/2026/09/17/recent-land-returns-give-wabanaki-nations-more-authority-over-conservation-ancestral-territory/

10/08/2026

“Native Peoples of Connecticut” is a documentary project about the five tribal nations in our state. The project is being produced by director Karyl Evans and Brenda Geer (Eastern Pequot), with support from fiscal sponsor The Alliance for the Mystic River Watershed. Once completed, the documentaries will be broadcast on CPTV and distributed by the CT Department of Education to all K-12 public schools.

Recently, we were honored to host the film crew and members of the Schaghticoke Women’s Traditional Council at our museum as part of filming for the first installment in this series. Ruth Garby Torres and Wunneanatsu Lamb-Cason discussed the history and traditional governance structure of their tribe.

Follow the link in our bio for more information about the project and see our comment below for ways that you can support its completion!

📷photo credit:
Sue Roman (1 & 2)
Brenda Geer (3 &4)

10/04/2026

This month, a new Indigenous picture book, "Ishkode: A Story of Fire," hits the market. Co-authored by Evan Larson and Nisogaabokwe Melonee Montano (Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa) and illustrated by Moira (Miri) Villiard (Fond du Lac Ojibwe), Ishkode was written for not just children, but adults as well, to teach the Ojibwe language and practice of prescribed burns, a practice that returned last year on Lake Superior’s Wisconsin Point.

“Last practiced generations ago, the culturally prescribed burn returns nutrients to the soil and helps native plants thrive while honoring the sacred relationship between the Ojibwe people and the land,” writes journalist Robin Washington. Indeed, ishkode means “good fire” in Ojibwe. On the inspiration behind the book, co-author Montano comments, “One of our biggest goals was to remind people of the gift of fire and to honor fire and the need for the return of fire.”

Follow the link to read the full article, “‘Good fire’ comes to life in Ojibwa picture book set on Wisconsin Point” by Robin Washington through Wisconsin Public Radio: https://www.wpr.org/news/good-fire-life-ojibwe-picture-book-wisconsin-point.

09/30/2026

September 30 is observed in Canada and the United States as a National Day for Remembrance, Truth and Reconciliation for the victims and survivors of the residential and boarding schools.

On April 15, 1890, Christine Redstone, Peter Howe, and Richard Morgan were part of a group of 43 Native children that arrived at Carlisle Indian School in Pennsylvania from Fort Peck. After 135 years, they finally returned home earlier this year. The task of repatriating the children’s remains began more than a decade ago. Now home, these children were finally able to have a proper burial that lays them to rest. The tribal community rallied together to welcome them home, with large crowds who danced, sang, ate, and cried together. While grieving the loss of these children and honoring their belated return in community provides some relief for loved ones, relatives described the moment as bittersweet.

As Christine’s relative Michael Redstone puts it, “It does give me some peace because I feel like there’s a part of me that was missing, and it makes me feel more whole knowing that a member of my family got to come home and gets to rest with our relatives.”

Follow the link to read the full article, “‘Echoes of the Past’: Repatriations of three Fort Peck children bring joy, tears” by Charles Fox through ICT: https://ictnews.org/news/echoes-of-the-past-repatriations-of-three-fort-peck-children-bring-joy-tears/.

Note: Due to the nature of this topic, this week’s article contains details and photos that might be disturbing. The article also contains contact information for support hotlines, as well as resources compiled by The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition.

09/27/2026

Due to an ongoing wind advisory, our museum will once again be closed today, Sunday, September 27. We will reopen for general admission on Thursday, October 1 at 11:00. Stay safe! We look forward to seeing you again soon.

09/26/2026

Due to a wind advisory, our museum is closed today, September 26, for the safety of staff, volunteers, and visitors. Stay safe! We look forward to welcoming you another time.

09/17/2026

On Saturday, September 19 at 3:00 PM, join Mohegan Council of Elders Vice Chair Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel and IAIS staff for a screening and discussion of “Up and Down the River”, a short film exploring the struggles and sacrifices of Mohegans during the American Revolution.

Co-written by Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel and her daughter, film director Madeline Sayet, the film focuses on the family of Samuel Ashbow, Jr., the first Native American killed during the Revolutionary War, and features Native actors from communities across Indian Country.

Following the screening, Melissa will discuss the making of the film and the history behind its story.

Thanks to funding from America 250’s Connecticut Commission, administered by CT Humanities, this program is free for all participants. Donations are always appreciated.

Pre-registration is requested! Use the following link to register for either the in-person or virtual program: https://iaismuseum.charityproud.org/EventRegistration/Index/29049

Questions? Call 860-868-0518 or email [email protected].

09/13/2026

A sense of belonging is one of the most important components to strong communities. Dana Warrington and Heather DiCosimo have built an organization that helps to foster this for Menominee youth. Founded in 2024, Woodland Heart dedicates itself to uplifting and connecting Menominee boys ages 11-14 with their culture.

The non-profit teaches youth and family how to create traditional woodland regalia as well as traditional dance, drumming, and singing styles. As Heather DiCosimo puts it, “ ‘Everytime they come up [to me] and say, ‘Auntie I made a new belt,’ or ‘Auntie I made a new shirt,’ that’s the part I love the most. Because I feel like when you have a sense of belonging and you have your culture, that is helping these boys guide their path.’ ”

Follow the link in our bio to read the full article, “‘Auntie I made a new belt’: Menominee nonprofit creates a path for young Native boys” by Amelia Schafer through ICT: https://ictnews.org/news/auntie-i-made-a-new-belt-menominee-nonprofit-creates-a-path-for-young-native-boys/

09/06/2026

Established in 1890 as part of the Federal Indian Boarding School program, the Santa Fe Indian School (SFIS) today reclaims education for Indigenous youth. Where this very institution was once used as a tool for assimilation and genocide, for the past 50 years, it has been fully tribally controlled, increasing autonomy and sovereignty for Native peoples of the American Southwest.

Decades later, decorated with Indigenous art, offering courses on over 11 Indigenous languages, and housing a library filled with information on Indigenous people and history, the Santa Fe Indian School builds up rather than tears down community bonds and fosters pride over shame in being Native.

As Kyle Shutiva, a student at SFIS puts it, “[before attending] I felt out of touch with my native heritage. But when I came here, I was surprised, there's so many kids wearing moccasins without feeling judgement.”
Follow the link to read or listen to the full article, “Once designed to strip Native students of culture, this school now safeguards it” by Sequoia Carrillo through NPR: https://www.npr.org/2026/06/18/nx-s1-5751916/america-250-santa-fe-indian-board-school

09/02/2026

Planning your class trips for the new school year?

Bring your students beyond the classroom and into the history and cultures of Native peoples at the Institute for American Indian Studies! Our educational programs and field trips offer students engaging, hands-on opportunities to learn about Native American history, culture, and lifeways.

Our educational programs are tailored to Connecticut and New York state curriculum standards and offer a variety of experiences that can be mixed and matched to your needs. We look forward to welcoming your class at IAIS!

Book online now by clicking the link in our bio! Please email [email protected] with any questions.

Address

38 Curtis Road
Washington, CT
06793

Opening Hours

Wednesday	11am - 4pm
Thursday	11am - 4pm
Friday	11am - 4pm
Saturday	11am - 4pm
Sunday	11am - 4pm

Telephone

+18608680518

Website

http://iaismuseum.org/

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