Solstice and Summer @ American Indian Archeological Institute

Celebrating the longest day of the year during Summer Solstice has gone on for centuries, and some of the most interesting celebrations and rituals are those practiced by Native Americans.  This year Summer Solstice occurs on June 21 and the Institute of American Indian Studies in Washington Connecticut has planned an event to celebrate this celestial event with an easy walk, stories, and strawberries. 

On Thursday, June 21, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. get ready for an evening of fun, stories and strawberries with the staff of the American Indian Archeological Institute in Washington Connecticut. Participants on this adventure will learn about the significance of the summer solstice in various cultures and how it has been celebrated around the world.

The word solstice comes from the Latin words for sun and to stop because, on this particular day, the sun appears to pause in the sky when it reaches its northernmost point from the equator.  As you stroll along the forest path, you will learn about the many interesting rituals and celebrations that are practiced by Native Americans.  The "medicine wheel," for example, is considered to be a celestial observatory built hundreds of years ago by the Plains Indians to indicate where the sun rose and set on the summer solstice; while the Pueblo Indians created a solar marking site at Fajada Butte in Chaco Canyon.  In Connecticut, according to the New England Historical Society, there are 62 ancient stone structures that are oriented to the stars and planets.

The Summer Solstice Walk concludes in a 17th-century authentic replica of the Institute's Algonkian Village.  The perfect conclusion to the walk is to sit by the fire and listen to the stories that have come down to us from the ages as the shadows fall around the surrounding wigwams.  A special strawberry treat will also be served as strawberries represent life and good health and were one of the first fruits of summer.

The Institute for American Indian Studies

Located on 15 woodland acres the IAIS has an outdoor Three Sisters and Healing Plants Gardens as well as a replicated 16th c. Algonkian Village.  Inside the museum, authentic artifacts are displayed in permanent, semi-permanent and temporary exhibits from prehistory to the present that allows visitors a walk through time. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located on 38 Curtis Road in Washington Connecticut and can be reached online or by calling 860-868-0518.

The Institute for American Indian Studies preserves and educates through discovery and creativity the diverse traditions, vitality, and knowledge of Native American cultures. Through archaeology, the IAIS is able to build new understandings of the world and history of Native Americans, the focus is on stewardship and preservation.  This is achieved through workshops, special events, and education for students of all ages.