Connecticut Public Radio

Still Here: Native American Resilience in New England

History EN ↓ 6 episodes

Next year marks a milestone in America’s history – 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Our founding document put forward aspirations that have shaped America and inspired the world: “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.” But read on; the Declaration may surprise you. It calls the Native peoples of America “merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.”For generations, stories of Native America have been kept separate and apart from the American story. Conn...

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Episodes

Chapter 5: The cultural power of a powwow 14.11.2025 8:00

As Native communities face continued challenges to their overall well-being, many find strength in cultural heritage and tradition. Powwow gatherings are a chance to reconnect with family, culture and values. In our final chapter of “Still Here,” visit powwows and explore how the cultural power of the powwow echoes across generations.  Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See...

Chapter 4: A Native American reverence for water, celebrated with music 14.11.2025 7:56

A Connecticut singer is taking Native art and culture to new places. He invited Indigenous musicians – as well as one of the world’s most famous cello players, Yo-Yo Ma – to perform at sunrise on the banks of the Connecticut River. The performance highlights Native peoples’ deep connection to nature and water. Water is a source of creation, shaping everything around us:&nbs...

Chapter 3: ‘An unsung hero:’ The story of Tarzan Brown 14.11.2025 8:12

In the 1930s, runner Tarzan Brown twice won the Boston Marathon – and carried the Narragansett tribe’s name out of obscurity and onto a global stage. “He was like an unsung hero for a long time,” his granddaughter says. “It’s just good to see him get the recognition he deserves.” In Chapter 3 of “Still Here,” discover how Brown put his tribe ba...

Chapter 2: The hidden history of Indigenous slavery 14.11.2025 7:28

It's a surprising and overlooked story, a blind spot in the narrative of early America. As colonial powers took over Native land, white settlers were enslaving Native people. Some worked in New England. Others were kidnapped and shipped to an isolated tropical island. For generations, a lost tribe in Bermuda wondered about its past. Centuries later, they’ve reconnected with family – in...

Chapter 1: For Native Americans, an enduring spiritual connection to the land 14.11.2025 7:54

For more than 10,000 years before Europeans arrived, the Northeast was home to many tribes with organized leadership and governance; it was among the most prosperous parts of North America. A connection with the land endures – and you care for it like it’s a member of the family. In Chapter 1 of “Still Here,” take a fresh look at the history of our region and listen to Indi...

A preview of 'Still Here,' exploring Native American resilience in New England 28.10.2025 0:31

For generations, stories of Native America were erased from the American story. It’s time for a history lesson many of us never got in school. Connecticut Public presents “Still Here: Native American Resilience in New England.” This five-episode series features Indigenous perspectives and offers a fresh look at the history of our region. We also meet culture bearers and knowledge...