Winter Weekend Walk @ Institute for American Indian Studies January 29

The ideal way to finish the month of January is to take a walk through the winter woods under the first full moon of January 2021 with the educators of the Institute for American Indian Studies in Washington, Connecticut. The full moon walk will take place on Friday, January 29 at 7:00 p.m. Hikers will walk along beautifully wooded trails on the grounds of the Institute and experience the serenity of nature under the bright nighttime sky that Eastern Woodland Native Americans have experienced for centuries. 

Many Native American communities call the January full moon the Wolf Moon because wolves are heard more often at this time of year. Traditionally, it was believed that wolves howled because they were hungry this time of year. Researchers today believe that wolves howl in January to defend their territory and to locate members of their pack to go hunting. 

The January full moon has other names that emphasize the cold temperatures this time of year. The Cree living in the Lake Superior area and Canada call the January full moon the Cold Moon or the Frost Exploding Moon. The Algonquin, a community indigenous to Connecticut calls this moon the Freeze Up Moon, and the Dakota of Minnesota and Wisconsin call it the Hard Moon. 

A highlight of this easy walk will be to learn about the phenomena that people in the Eastern Woodlands have been experiencing for thousands of years. After this walk, you will look up at the full moon with a new appreciation of it and, new knowledge, that has been passed down through the centuries. The woodland walk ends at the newly restored and built 16th-century Algonkian village where a warm fire and hot chocolate will greet hikers. 

Space on this walk is limited and pre-registration is required. Please call 860-868-0518 or email events@iaismuseum.org to reserve a spot. The price for participation is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $6 for children. The cost for members of the Institute is $5. Remember to dress for the weather, to wear sturdy shoes, and bring along a flashlight. 

If you can't make it on the 29th, the Institute and its trails will be open all weekend from 11 am - 4 pm.

About The Institute for American Indian Studies 

Located on 15 acres of woodland acres, the Institute For American Indian Studies preserves and educates through archeology, research, exhibitions, and programs. They have the 16th c. Algonquian Village, Award-Winning Wigwam Escape, and a museum with temporary and permanent displays of authentic artifacts from prehistory to the present that allows visitors to foster a new understanding of the world and the history and culture of Native Americans. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located at 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT.