In 2019, NRPA and Tomaquag Museum began a collaboration to connect Indigenous people with the work of preserving the Narrow (Pettaquamscutt) River.
The Mission of the Tomaquag Museum is to Educate the Public and Promote Thoughtful Dialogue Regarding Indigenous History, Culture, Arts, Mother Earth and Connections to Native Issues of Today. Deeply connected to the environment, Indigenous people have a long history and enduring connection to the environment. NRPA seeks to include this rich history in our accounts and to include the voices of Indigenous people in our work today and in the future.
In 2019, the New England Grassroots Fund provided a grant for Lorén Spears, Executive Director of Tomaquag Museum to lead a kayak tour on Narrow (Pettaquamscutt) River. A transcript of her remarks during that tour can be read here. The grant also financed Lorén Spears leading an Indigenous art activity at Art on the River. Young and old alike enjoyed making corn husk dolls and learning about this traditional craft.
Recently, the New England Grassroots Fund included NRPA and Tomaquag Museum in their Community Stories series. Enjoy!
In 2020, The Rhode Island Foundation has provided a grant to again host an Indigenous Art activity at Art on the River. All are welcome to join us! Click here for more information about Art on the River.
The collaboration between NRPA and Tomaquag Museum has been made possible, in part, by the New England Grassroots Environment Fund.
This project has been made possible in part by a Rhode Island Foundation Community Grant.
