IAIS Is Preparing An Algonquin Strawberry Festival

WASHINGTON — For the Algonkian peoples of the Northeast, the year is divided into 13 moons, each marked by, and named for, a natural cycle of nature, such as budding, blooming, leafing and fruiting of plants, and the actions of birds and animals.

One of the most joyous celebrations occurs in June with the Strawberry Moon, when small, fragrant and intensely flavored wild strawberries ripen in New England fields. It was a time of rejoicing and a time to offer up prayers of thanksgiving, praising and honoring the strawberry for its gifts of joy and healing to mankind.

This year the Institute for American Indian Studies will hold a Thanksgiving Strawberry Festival on Saturday, June 16, noon until 4.

Dale Carson, Abenaki, a noted food author, will entertain visitors of all ages with her knowledge of traditional Algonkian foods using strawberries including strawberry tea, strawberry Johnny cakes, and strawberry bread. She will also share some of the legends and stories surrounding this delicious little red berry.

The museum is at 38 Curtis Road; telephone 860-868-0518. Regular hours are 10 am to 5 pm Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 pm on Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults, $4.50 for senior citizens, and $3 for children.