New Location: Abbe Museum Downtown, 26 Mount Desert Street / Bar Harbor, ME

Jennifer Pictou is from Mi’kmaq Nation in Presque Isle, Maine and is a storyteller, artist, and educator. In her work, Jennifer bridges her studies of history, oral traditions, and culture together for a tour company she owns locally. Jennifer invites visitors to hear traditional Mi’kmaq stories some of which will be spooky to mark the season and learn more about Mi’kmaq history and culture.

The Cultural Connections in the Park programs are offered in partnership with Acadia National Park, and are free and open to the public.

We are pleased that the Burnurwurbskek Singers will be joining us again this season to celebrate Cultural Connections in the Park. The Burnurwurbskek Singers, a men’s drum group from the Penobscot Nation at Indian Island, have been performing traditional Wabanaki songs for audiences across Maine and other states for decades. This engaging performance features music and dancing that will captivate audience members of all ages.

 Location: Sieur De Monts Field (behind the Nature Center), Acadia National Park

All Cultural Connections in the Park programs are offered in partnership with Acadia National Park, and are free and open to the public.

The Cultural Connections in the Park series occurs on occasional Wednesdays from late June through October. Please check the Abbe Museum website for upcoming programs.

 Rain Location: Abbe Museum, downtown

Chris Sockalexis, Penobscot, is the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Penobscot Nation. Join him as he demonstrates and shares knowledge of the ancient art and technique of stone and bone tool production.

Chris has a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Maine with his primary focus being on Maine Archaeology. He is currently conducting research for his Masters of Science degree at the University of Maine Climate Change Institute with his thesis work focusing on Cultural Identity and Maritime Adaptation in Frenchman Bay, Maine. Chris is one of the lead singers of the RezDogs, an intertribal powwow drum group based out of Indian Island, Maine. He serves on the Abbe Museum board and is also an avid canoe/kayak paddler who loves being out in the Maine woods and on the waterways that his ancestors have traveled for thousands of years.

 Location: Sieur De Monts Field (behind the Nature Center), Acadia National Park

All Cultural Connections in the Park programs are offered in partnership with Acadia National Park, and are free and open to the public.

The Cultural Connections in the Park series occurs on occasional Wednesdays from late June through October. Please check the Abbe Museum website for upcoming programs.

 Rain Location: Abbe Museum, downtown

John Dennis of the Eskasoni Mi’kmaw Nation is truly a keeper of tradition. A musician and storyteller, John invites visitors to hear hand drum songs and the stories he has learned throughout his life. In his work in cultural preservation and youth and recreation, John strives to pass on his knowledge to the youth of the Mi’kmaq and other Wabanaki Communities.

Location: Sieur De Monts Field (behind the Nature Center), Acadia National Park

The Cultural Connections in the Park programs are offered in partnership with Acadia National Park, and are free and open to the public.

The Cultural Connections in the Park series occurs on occasional Wednesdays from late June through October. Please check the Abbe Museum website for upcoming programs.

Rain Location: Abbe Museum, downtown

Sarah Sockbeson is an award-winning basketmaker who takes Wabanaki traditions to new levels with her unique styling and dye patterns. A member of the Penobscot Indian Nation, Sarah apprenticed with basketmaker Jennifer Neptune. Her baskets include signature elements such as painting and bone carving. Sarah will demonstrate the various steps in her artistic process during this informational program.

Location: Sieur De Monts Field (behind the Nature Center), Acadia National Park

The Cultural Connections in the Park programs are offered in partnership with Acadia National Park, and are free and open to the public.

The Cultural Connections in the Park series occurs on occasional Wednesdays from late June through October. Please check the Abbe Museum website for upcoming programs.

Rain Location: Abbe Museum, downtown

Gabriel Frey, Passamaquoddy, comes from a long line of fancy and utility basketmakers. He uses his family’s traditional knowledge and styles to create beautiful, sturdy baskets that are used for a variety of purposes. Join Gabriel as he demonstrates the labor-intensive process of preparing ash, and see firsthand how his beautiful and functional art is created.

Location: Sieur De Monts Field (behind the Nature Center), Acadia National Park

The Cultural Connections in the Park programs are offered in partnership with Acadia National Park, and are free and open to the public.

The Cultural Connections in the Park series occurs on occasional Wednesdays from late June through October. Please check the Abbe Museum website for upcoming programs.

Rain Location: Abbe Museum, downtown

Kick-off the 2021 Cultural Connections in the Park program series with the Burnurwurbskek Singers, a men’s drum group from the Penobscot Nation at Indian Island, Maine. This group has been performing traditional Wabanaki songs for audiences across Maine and other states for many years. This engaging performance features music and dancing that will captivate audience members of all ages.

Location: Sieur De Monts Field (behind the Nature Center), Acadia National Park

Cultural Connections in the Park programs are offered in partnership with Acadia National Park and are free and open to the public.

The Cultural Connections in the Park series occurs on occasional Wednesdays from late June through September. Please check the Abbe Museum website for upcoming programs.

Rain Location: Abbe Museum Downtown (26 Mount Desert Street, Bar Harbor)

John Dennis of the Eskasoni Mi’kmaw Nation is truly a keeper of tradition. A musician and storyteller, John will entrance visitors with songs from his hand drum and the stories and teachings he has learned throughout his life. In his work in cultural preservation and youth and recreation, John strives to pass on his knowledge to the youth of the Mi’kmaq and other Wabanaki Communities.

John will have two sets on this day, the first from 11 am- 12 pm and again at 1 pm- 2 pm.

Location: Nature Center Patio, Acadia National Park

All Cultural Connections in the Park programs are sponsored by Dawnland, LLC, are offered in partnership with Acadia National Park, and are free and open to the public.

The Cultural Connections in the Park series occurs every Wednesday from late June through September.

Rain Location: Abbe Museum, downtown

Allan Saulis, Maliseet, is a well-established artist from Tobique First Nation and specializes in paintings that evoke emotion and look at difficult issues facing Wabanaki people today.  Norma Saulis, Penobscot and Mi’kmaq, is Allan’s partner, culture keeper, and beadworker. Together, Norma and Allan run Maritime Indigenous Artist Inc. which seeks to uplift and support Indigenous artists from Cape Cod to Labrador, the traditional lands of Wabanaki peoples. Both Allan and Norma will be demonstrating their arts for visitors and available to talk about their inspirations as artists today.

 Location: Nature Center Patio, Acadia National Park

All Cultural Connections in the Park programs are sponsored by Dawnland, LLC, are offered in partnership with Acadia National Park, and are free and open to the public.

The Cultural Connections in the Park series occurs every Wednesday from late June through September.

Rain Location: Abbe Museum, downtown

Gabriel Frey, Passamaquoddy, comes from a long line of fancy and utility basketmakers. He uses his family’s traditional knowledge and style to create beautifully woven, sturdily built utility baskets that can be used for a variety of purposes. Join Gabriel as he demonstrates the labor intensive process of preparing ash and see firsthand how his beautiful and functional art is created.

Location: Wigwam at Sieur de Monts, Acadia National Park

All Cultural Connections in the Park programs are sponsored by Dawnland, LLC, are offered in partnership with Acadia National Park, and are free and open to the public.

The Cultural Connections in the Park series occurs every Wednesday from late June through September.

Rain Location: Abbe Museum, downtown

Eldon Hanning of the Aroostook Band of Micmac Indians is well known for his utility baskets.  A master of ash preparation, Eldon will demonstrate the traditional Micmac method of pounding and splitting ash, which differs greatly from the techniques of the Penobscot and Passamaquoddy ash-pounders.  A board member of the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance, Eldon has taught hundreds of members of each of the Wabanaki tribes how to weave potato baskets—a basket which the Wabanaki are well known for. 

Location: Jordan Pond House Lawn, Acadia National Park

 All of these programs are sponsored by Dawnland, LLC, are offered in partnership with Acadia National Park, and are free and open to the public. The Cultural Connections in the Park series occurs every Wednesday from June through August and on select dates in September

Rain Location: Abbe Museum, downtown

Sarah Sockbeson is one of the several young basketmakers who take Wabanaki traditions to a new level with their contemporary styles. A member of the Penobscot Indian Nation, Sarah apprenticed with basketmaker Jennifer Neptune and combines contemporary elements such as painting and bone carving into her work. Known for her vivid color combinations and beautiful landscape paintings, Sarah will demonstrate the various steps within her artistic process.

 Location: Nature Center Patio, Acadia National Park

All Cultural Connections in the Park programs are sponsored by Dawnland, LLC, are offered in partnership with Acadia National Park, and are free and open to the public.

The Cultural Connections in the Park series occurs every Wednesday from late June through September.

Rain Location: Abbe Museum, downtown

Join us for a unique opportunity to meet Passamaquoddy artist Natalie Dana. Natalie specializes in making drums and her one of a kind painting on the drum’s surface. Natalie will be painting on her drums during this demonstration and speaking to visitors about her artistic process.

Location: Jordan Pond House, Acadia National Park

All Cultural Connections in the Park programs are sponsored by Dawnland, LLC, are offered in partnership with Acadia National Park, and are free and open to the public.

The Cultural Connections in the Park series occurs every Wednesday from late June through September.

Rain Location: Abbe Museum, downtown

Chris Sockalexis, Penobscot, is the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Penobscot Nation. Join him as he demonstrates and shares knowledge of the ancient art and technique of stone and bone tool production. Chris is acting Board Chair of the Abbe Museum in downtown Bar Harbor.

Chris has a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Maine with his primary focus being on Maine Archaeology. He is currently conducting research for his Masters of Science degree at the University of Maine Climate Change Institute with his thesis work focusing on Cultural Identity and Maritime Adaptation in Frenchman Bay, Maine. Chris is one of the lead singers of the RezDogs, an intertribal powwow drum group based out of Indian Island, Maine. He is also an avid canoe/kayak paddler who loves being out in the Maine woods and on the waterways that his ancestors have traveled for thousands of years.

 Location: Jordan Pond House, Acadia National Park

All Cultural Connections in the Park programs are sponsored by Dawnland, LLC, are offered in partnership with Acadia National Park, and are free and open to the public.

The Cultural Connections in the Park series occurs every Wednesday from late June through September.

Rain Location: Abbe Museum Downtown