Ways of My Ancestors
Ways of My Ancestors – Imagery: Lighting the Path to Awareness
Photography by Scott Strong Hawk Foster
February 28-March 23, 2025
Opening reception March 5, 6PM
Artist Talk, March 9, 1-2pm
Koonepeam (welcome) to the “Ways of My Ancestors – Imagery: Lighting the Path to Awareness” Indigenous photography series. This photography exhibition celebrates the rich, diverse, and resilient cultures of the Native Peoples of the Northeastern Woodlands of North America.
Tradition
The history of the Indigenous People of the Northeastern Woodlands dates back thousands of years. The Northeastern Woodlands People of Southern New England, such as the Nipmuc (o.v. Nipmuck), Massachusett, Mohegan, Narragansett, Pequot, Pocumtuck, and Wampanoag, are Indigenous inhabitants of the region surrounding present day Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Their spiritual beliefs and practices reflect an unwavering respect for Okasoh Ohke (Mother Earth) and the cycles of seasons. Agricultural innovation, hunting, fishing, quillwork, basket weaving, wampum artisanship, and dynamic storytelling through drumming, dance, and song are the hallmarks of the Southern New England Indigenous cultures.
History
In the mid-17th century, the Northeastern Woodlands People of Southern New England were among the earliest Native People to have their way of life devasted by fatal diseases, colonization, and bloody warfare. Since King Philips War in 1675, three centuries of cultural cleansing and displacement were attempts to erase these proud and resilient People. Despite this traumatic history, their strength, determination, and belief in Creator has enabled them to thrive to this day.
Today
We continue to advocate for our rights and work to preserve our cultural heritage. We strive to promote the understanding of Indigenous People through our ongoing struggle for respect, justice, dignified representation, and reclamation of ancestral homelands.
Kuttabotomish (I thank you) for joining this celebration of the Northeastern Woodlands People of Southern New England. We’re the First Nations of Turtle Island and We are still here.
Aquene kah nanowiyeue pomushau (Peace and safe travels),
Scott Quanon Menuhkesu (Strong Hawk) Foster
About the Artist
Scott Strong Hawk Foster is a Native American photographer and an enrolled member of Hassanamisco Nipmuc Band with proud Mohegan and Cherokee lineage.
Scott’s philosophy regarding photography is to share his artistry and life experiences, as an Indigenous photographer, through the lens of his camera. “Capture the Moment…Share the Experience” ©, his photography tagline, embraces that belief. Scott believes that life is filled with unique and fleeting moments that must be captured and imprinted or they could be lost forever. He also strives to use photography to educate the unaware, misinformed, and people who thrust for truth and knowledge, or just want to smile.
Scott’s current project, “Ways of My Ancestors – Imagery: Lighting the Path to Awareness,” reflects his travels within his home state of Massachusetts and throughout the ancestral homelands of the Native American Peoples of New England. While attending powwows, cultural events, workshops, and Indigenous practices that span millennia, his passion has become highlighting the resilient, rich, and diverse cultures and history of the Indigenous peoples that are still here and living amongst us.
This exhibition in the Wedge Gallery will run concurrently with The Umbrella Stage Company’s Where We Belong by Mohegan playwright Madeline Sayet in The Umbrella’s Black Box theater; both are offered as part of The Umbrella's programs commemorating the American semiquincentennial, in association with Concord250 and MA250.
