"400 Years of Wampanoag History: Indigenous Perspectives on Historical Realities" - A talk by Linda Coombs

"400 Years of Wampanoag History: Indigenous Perspectives on Historical Realities"

A talk by Linda Coombs, Aquinnah Wampanoag and Wampanoag Historian

Thursday, July 29 / 4:00 pm

Members: $10

Non-Members: $12

Following the history set in the "Our Story" exhibit, Linda will discuss actual historical events that have occurred since before 1620 up to present day, and how they have been misrepresented or even omitted from the telling or teaching of history.  The history that has surrounded the Pilgrims' journey, landing and settlement has been riddled with mythology, with the impacts of these events on Indigenous people, cultures and lands largely unknown and untold.  As this country contends with the "Black Lives Matter" movement, as should be, the next step is to acknowledge and gain awareness of the original people of the land.

Linda Combs' Biography:

I am a member of the Aquinnah Wampanoag tribe on Martha's Vineyard, and have lived in Mashpee for more than 40 years. My two grandchildren are enrolled with the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe, as was their father and grandfather.

I have worked for 45 years as a museum educator, and spent 11 years total at the Boston Children's Museum, 30 years in the Wampanoag Indigenous Program at Plimoth Plantation, and 9 years at the Aquinnah Cultural Center, a small house museum regarding the Aquinnah Wampanoag. I have been an interpreter, an artisan, a researcher; led workshops and teacher institutes; written children's stories and articles on various aspects of Wampanoag history and culture; and developed and worked on all aspects of a wide variety of exhibits.

This talk is presented in conjunction with the exhibition, cARTography: Envisioning Cape Cod.