Talk With the Indian Doctress: * Interpreting 19th Century Native American Medicine

At the Shea Theater, Dr. Marge Bruchac discusses research on Native medicinal plants and practitioners, the approaches she uses to make these histories visible, as part of our Food, Farms, and Factories project, in collaboration with the Nolumbeka Project. In 19th century New England, “Indian Doctors” and “Indian Doctresses” treated Native and non-Native neighbors alike. Connecticut River valley residents turned to Mohican and Abenaki practitioners for what we recognize today as herbalism, chiropractic, physiotherapy, and spiritual healing. As people moved increasingly towards modern medicine, these gifted healers were forgotten, and their knowledge exploited by patent medicine makers. Refreshments in the lobby at 1 p.m. Talk begins at 1:30 p.m. Free & open to all.