Nebizun: Water is Life

Exhibition curated by Vera Longtoe Sheehan

Header artwork: by Francine Poitras Jones

Curatorial Statement

Nebizun is the Abenaki word for medicine and the root word Nebi is the Abenaki word for water. The rivers and tributaries of N’Dakinna (our homeland) were our highways for traveling and the water itself is important to the species of fish and other wildlife that is necessary to our way of life. As stewards of the environment Native American people know the importance of having clean water. The Abenaki people know and understand the importance of water in everyday activities related to foodways and healing powers of water.

Featured artists include Melody Walker Brook, Amy Hook-Therrien, Rick Hunt, Francine Poitras Jones, Norm M’Sadoques, Bill Gould, Lina Longtoe, Roger Longtoe Sheehan, and Aaron York.

Special thanks to Fred Wiseman for the usage of his family’s fishing equipment.

Exhibit Schedule

May – October 15, 2019 – Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, VT.