The Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine (CMTM) is pleased to announce the grand opening of a new outdoor exhibit titled Ckuwaponahkiyik Atkuhkakonol: Wabanaki Storytelling Through Art and Traditions.
This exhibit pays homage to the enduring traditions of the Wabanaki people, whose cultural legacy has thrived in the region now known as Maine for over 12,000 years.
The exhibit officially made its debut on Indigenous People's Day - Monday, October 9, 2023.
Where?
Outdoor Adventure Area, First Floor
Accessibility
• Crushed gravel walkways are wheelchair accessible.
• Interactives designed at accessible hights.
Virtual Exhibit Tour
Click the images below to virtually explore the exhibit.
Exhibit Features
Play drums, shake rattles, and create your own rhythms in the Music House
Follow the path of the Skutik River with a miniature birchbark canoe
Weave unique patterns at interactive weaving stations
Sit in the shade on a hand-carved bench featuring imagery from Wabanaki Stories
Learn about the Wabanaki nations, and ongoing traditions like basketmaking, storytelling, and music making
“We want families to learn about Wabanaki culture while also offering a platform to promote cultural understanding and dialogue. Exhibits and experiences like this are integral to our mission of fostering a sense of belonging. We’ve worked to ensure this is an exhibit where Wabanaki people are driving narratives of their artistic and cultural experiences while enriching the overall vibrant tapestry of play and learning at the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine.”
Ckuwaponahkiyik Atkuhkakonol: Wabanaki Storytelling Through Art and Traditions
CMTM collaborated closely with artists representing four Wabanaki tribal nations, Mi'kmaq, Maliseet, Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot, united under the Wabanaki Confederacy, to create this immersive experience for visitors.
About the Artists
Tim Shay, a Penobscot sculptor, showcases his sculpting and carving skills by creating community-focused benches that provide spaces for storytelling and community-building.
Max Romero Sanipass, a Mi'kmaq, Taos, and Laguna Pueblo artist, highlights the art of black ash basketry, inviting children and families to engage in both traditional and contemporary weaving styles.
Dwayne Tomah, a Passamaquoddy citizen and cultural preservationist, focuses on Wabanaki music, offering interactive opportunities for visitors to create rhythms and experience the intersection of music and storytelling in Wabanaki communities.
Emma Hassencahl-Perley, a Maliseet (Wolastoqew) visual artist, weaves contemporary and traditional motifs into her visual designs, uniting all components of the exhibit to tell the story of Wabanaki people today.