ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE: 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 inhabitants of Turtle Island. Hear more from Squanto and how helpful he really was. Witness the ferocity of an agitated King Philip. 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 more unfolds before your eyes. This theatrical role-play with an educational time travel experience is dependent on audience participation. Immerse yourself in this one-of-a-kind performance!

ABOUT THE PRESENTER: With many miles on his moccasins, Annawon Weeden has traveled extensively throughout Turtle Island & beyond. Blistering cold trips to remote Alaskan villages, workshops within the desert of the southwest, performing on tropical islands such as Hawaii or Bermuda, Weeden has witnessed firsthand how other tribes maintain their sovereignty, which has reinforced his pride within his own New England native tribal roots.

With ancestry representing his Pequot & Narragansett lineage, Weeden is also an enrolled member of his mother’s Mashpee Wampanoag community of Cape Cod. Currently employed as a cultural instructor for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal government, much of his free time is spent creating indigenous art such as his wampum jewelry fashion line (First Light Fashion) or representing the indigenous voice while conducting educational programming under the label of First Light Fun.

Throughout his entire life, dedicated to visiting schools, colleges, museums, corporations, libraries, birthdays and more, Weeden has found many creative ways to educate any audience. On stage or in the classroom, his ability to share his tribal culture has been sought after by world renowned institutions. Having appeared at prestigious venues such as Smithsonian, National Geographic, Scholastic, PBS, History/Discovery Channel, Alaska Native Heritage Center, Harvard University, Tennessee Tech & many more. In addition, his cultural expertise has been called upon by such international government agencies as: Bermuda Ministry of Cultural Affairs, U.S. National Park Service, U.S. District Court & most recently his Congressional honor as culture & arts bearer for the region.

This event is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Sandwich Public Library.