For centuries before the arrival of Europeans in North America, the Wabanaki, or People of the Dawn plied Maine's rocky coastal waters in their canoes to harvest the abundant resources here. Rare sandy beaches, such as Pemaquid, became meeting places where the people would gather to rest, trade, gossip and feast on the bounty of the land and sea. The many ancient shell middens in the Damariscotta area attest to these gatherings. As fishermen and traders began to arrive, Native people such as Samoset were there to greet them.
For the past 4 years, a Native American Recognition Celebration has been held at the beach in appreciation for all who passed this way. The success and community enthusiasm in this 1-day event has built to where, this year, there will be a full 6 days of celebration of Native American culture and history in the Pemaquid peninsula region, starting on Tuesday, July 22, and running through Monday, July 28.
Among the many offerings will be demonstrations of Native crafts, field trips to ancient sites, and storytelling and concerts by performers of Native descent. Friday evening Castlebay will present their historic drama, The Grand Design, which chronicles the true story of a group of Scots-Irish coming to the new world in 1741 and their encounters with Native people. Throughout the celebration, restaurants will feature traditional Native dishes and local shops will have special sales and displays.
Wabanaki Days aims to honor the Native presence in the Pemaquid and Damariscotta region and to emphasize the peaceful, family-centered and ancestor-honoring traits of these earliest stewards of the land. By offering authentic educational and participatory events, the organizers of Wabanaki Days hope to instill an understanding and appreciation for Maine's First People. We invite you to walk in their footsteps and join in the celebration of their ancient land.
Wabanaki Days 2008 is being organized by a collaboration of Beachcombers' Rest Nature Center, Pemaquid Watershed Association, Town of Bristol Parks and Recreation Commission, Friends of Colonial Pemaquid, Lincoln County Community Theatre, Castlebay Music Inc., Damariscotta River Association, and the Damariscotta Region Chamber of Commerce.
For more information or to volunteer to help, contact the Damariscotta Region Chamber of Commerce at (207) 563-8340, email info@WabanakiDays.org, or visit www.WabanakiDays.org.