The Nanticoke Historic Preservation Alliance is sponsoring the 10th Annual Chicone Village Day at Handsell on Indiantown Road in Vienna, Dorchester County, on Saturday, April 29, 10am-5pm. All are welcome to come to Handsell on this special day designed to honor the history and culture of the Eastern Woodland Native People who inhabited a wide area in the eastern part of the United States including the vastly wooded area of the Delmarva Pennisula. These included the Algonquian speaking “Nentego” (Nanticokes), the largest tribe on the Eastern Shore, who were part of a matrilineal culture.
Returning for this year is Daniel Firehawk Abbott, a living history interpreter and designer of the Chicone Village Longhouse and Garden. The Pocomoke Indian Nation, a long time supporter of the Chicone Village, will feature Chief Norris Howard in the work shelter and Philip Goldsborough with flint knapping. Drew Shuptar-Rayvis, a participant in the Nanticoke River Jamboree events, will be appearing as an Ambassador of the Pocomoke Indian Nation to support his tribe.
Other tribal groups invited to attend include Nause Waiwash Band of Indians, with jeff Kirwan leading the Native Drummers; Herman Jackson of the Nanticoke of Millsboro, Delaware; and artists in associated Native American crafts. Living History demonstrations will include cooking, weaving, chipping of implements and gardening with historic plants. There will be artifact displays by Terry Crannell and others from Native culture. A new participant, Matthew “Maasaw” Howard, an independent American Indian Field Researcher, author and storyteller, will be joining the event along with second-time interpreter Shane Rader, a Houma descendant playing the Native flute.
Handsell House will be open for docent tours and the incredible beadwork collection of Teresa Collins will be featured in the parlors. Collins will also be discussing and demonstrating this unique craft. In the basement kitchen, visitors can sample native inspired food prepared from the Handsell Native Cookbook, where the African American story is represented.
Admission is $5 to help defray costs and for maintenance of the village structures. Open to all ages. Information can be found at www.restorehandsell.org.
