Conway Grammar School is excited to announce that it has been awarded a grant of $800 from the Mass Cultural Council and Conway Arts Council to bring Native artist and historian,Jennifer Lee, for a 2- day educational immersion on local Native American history and culture.
Jennifer will be at CGS on October 10th and 11th.
Jennifer Lee, a gifted artist and dedicated historian, will immerse herself in the role of an Algonkian woman from the 1750s. She will breathe life into history through engaging presentations suitable for all ages. The focal point of this extraordinary event will be her presentation inside an eighteen-foot-diameter eastern conical wigwam, authentically equipped with the tools and artifacts of daily life. Within this immersive setting, students and attendees will have the unique opportunity to explore and interact with items such as baskets, gourds, clay pots, tanned furs and hides, clothing, beadwork, drums, and rattles – many of which Jennifer Lee has crafted herself. This experience will transport students and attendees back in time, nurturing an appreciation for the rich history of the Native American people who once thrived in our region. Jennifer Lee’s presentations will encompass song, story-telling, and hands-on demonstrations, effectively breathing life into history. Beyond the historical dimension, this event will empower students with invaluable insights into pre-contact history, colonial invasion, Indian place-names, influential Native individuals, contemporary tribal issues, and the profound significance and applications of our local rivers, plants, and trees. It represents a holistic educational journey designed to foster a profound appreciation for the heritage and culture of the Native American people within our community.
Jennifer Lee is enrolled with the Metis Nation of North America and the Northern Narragansetts, dedicating over four decades to the study of the authentic history and culture of her Native American ancestors of the Northeast Woodlands. Her extensive presentations at schools, historic sites, town festivals, and museums in the northeast have left a lasting impact on countless individuals. Jennifer Lee is also celebrated as a renowned birch basket maker, with accolades and awards received at prestigious events such as the Mohegan Wigwam Festival, Saratoga Native American Festival, Kearsage Indian Museum, Deerfield Craft Show, and North Carolina Basketmakers Association.
Families are welcome to join us for a culminating whole-school gathering on Wednesday, October 11, from 2:00-2:45.