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The Green Corn Ceremony was one of the most important celebrations in Native American life because corn was an important source of food as well as an integral part of religious and ceremonial life that brought communities together. The Institute of American Indian Studies located on 38 Curtis Road in Washington, Connecticut is holding their 14th annual Green Corn Festival on August 4 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to observe this time treasured tradition.
Join Museum Staff and Friends as they welcome the first corn of the season with music, drumming, dancing, children’s activities, stories by a professional Native American Storyteller, the sale of arts and crafts and much more! Wander the trails to our 17th century pre contact village, tour our museum to learn about Native Cultures, check out the crafts in our gift shop and try your hands at corn-centric crafts. A special treat is the powwow styled food such as the perennial favorite, frybread that is not to be missed.
A special highlight planned for this year’s event is a performance of the Native Nations Dance Troupe led by Erin Lamb Meeches, Schaghticoke. These traditional dances evoke the beauty, honor and tradition of Native People.
About Green Corn
The expression “Green Corn” refers to the first ripened sweet corn that you can eat. The Green Corn Ceremony is marked with dancing, feasting, fasting and religious observations. In the Eastern Woodland areas, Native people depended on three staples – corn, beans and squash. These food items were so important that they were called “The Three Sisters.” The Three Sisters were mixed together to make a vegetable dish called succotash that is still popular today.
Admission for this event, held rain or shine is $10 for Adults; $8 Seniors; and $6 for Children.
The Institute for American Indian Studies
Located on 15 woodland acres the IAIS has an outdoor Three Sisters and Healing Plants Gardens as well as a replicated 16th c. Algonkian Village. Inside the museum, authentic artifacts are displayed in permanent, semi-permanent and temporary exhibits from prehistory to the present that allows visitors a walk through time. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located on 38 Curtis Road in Washington Connecticut and can be reached online or by calling 860-868-0518.
The Institute for American Indian Studies preserves and educates through discovery and creativity the diverse traditions, vitality, and knowledge of Native American cultures. Through archaeology, the IAIS is able to build new understandings of the world and history of Native Americans, the focus is on stewardship and preservation. This is achieved through workshops, special events, and education for students of all ages.
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