Month: October 2013

It was all I could ask for and more………
Oct 17:
1st: I visited the Barkhamsted Lighthouse site with my cousin/side kick Veronica Hawkins along with Sheryl Robinson wife to Descendant Butch Robinson and Sub-Chief Keith Brown of the Wiquapaug Eastern Pequot whom gave blessings of the site for us~

2nd: I meet with Jessica & Betty VanDeBogart and Donna Ellis descendants of the Barkhamsted Lighthouse Tribe – they shared documents and photo for my research – I have verified most of their lineages now and filled in many blanks on these branches.

L2R Back: JoAnn Schmitt, Lorraine Hart, Allan Lawson (Hosts) (not sure next gentleman will get his name) and on the end is Christopher Valli (Public Access Coordinator & one that put it all together for us) Bottom: Coni Dubois, Keith Brown of the Wiquapaug Eastern Pequot & Veronica Hawkins We had an Awesome TIME with this crew and I can’t thank them enough for inviting me!

3rd: I appeared on TV show Senior Chat Hour on ctv13 out of Winsted CT. along with Veronica & Keith Brown – had a wonderful time and they have granted me permission to share the episode in my research – I was given a digital copy and permission to use in whatever I need~

Note: the episode is available online right now at: http://www.ctv13.net/  – Once in their webpage bottom left corner is Watch VOD – click that and should be on that page if not type in Senior in search bar and it will bring up episodes you are looking for date 10/17/13

4th: Our host for trip was Keith Brown – he shared his home with us for our stay (Veronica & I)

10/19/13 L2R: Chief Hawk Storm, Tall Oak (Everett Weeden) & Keith Brown at The Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center for Conference – photo taken by Veronica Hawkins

 Oct 18th & 19th:

Veronica, Sheryl & Keith & I all attended the Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center’s  Academic Conference on the 17th Century Warfare, Diplomacy, & Society in the American Northeast – Was able to meet many that I’ve been working with via internet over the years to finally be able to put a face to them was truly worth the trip in it’s self~

 

I have to give a big shout out to those at the Museum & Research Center – Kevin McBride, Ashley Bissonnette, David Naumec & team for all their hard work and putting of the event together along with their wonderful hospitality and personal assistance of  the needs of many of us that needed things printed or shared – I met many wonderful people and made many connections~ Was all I could of hope for and more~

Was an awesome experience and look forward to future conference’s~

10/19/13 Author John A Strong signing my book – The Montaukett Indians of Eastern Long Island – He signed: For Coni, Keep up the good work on the Montaukett heritage – John A Strong Oct 19, 2013 and along with that he has granted me permission to use any of his work in my research (has several books out) was a honor to finally meet him – Photo taken by Veronica Hawkins

10/19/13 L2R: Dr. Craig Miller (Dept Head of Science, Humanities and Visual Communications at Pennsylvania College of Technology) Dave Naumec (Research Consultant of The Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center) in the research lab (was given a special tour arranged by Kevin McBride (Archeologist & head of the Research Center) – photo taken by Veronica Hawkins  (thanks so much David!)

  Highlight was John Strong Signing my book!

Oct 20th:

Spent the day with the Brown family sightseeing in the Rhode Island Area – Chief “Sun Rise” (Byron Brown), Wife Pearl (who made a wonderful dinner for us – Thank you Pearl for opening your home to my cousin and I)  along with Sub Chief Keith Brown of the Wiquapaug Eastern Pequot – they were wonderful guides and so full of knowledge of Native American Heritage and culture – always a wonderful time when with them~

And on that final note I have been given my Native American Name by Chief “Sun Rise” & Keith:

“Red Wing Black Bird” she who speaks for us~

Chagum, ewo-to-wash-kee-on

Narragansett Dawn Vol 2 No 1 May 1936
Pg 12: Totems
The left wing of a red wing blackbird is the historians totem which means her mission is to wing a burning message to all ears which harken for the uplift of her race.

Story: One day an Indian became so angry with everyone that he set the sea marshes on fire because he wanted to burn up the world. A little blackbird saw it. He flew up into a tree and shouted Ku nam wi cu! Ku nam wi cu! The world and all is going to burn.” The man said “If you do not go away, I will kill you.” But the bird only kept shouting “Ku nam wi cu! The world and all is going to burn.” Then the Indian threw a shell and hit the little bird on the wings, making them bleed. That is how the red-winged blackbird came by its red wings. Now when people saw the marshes burning, they quickly ran down and killed game which had been driven from it by the fire. Then they said to the angry man, “Because you put fire in those tall weeds, the deer and bear and other animals have been driven out and we have killed them. You have aided us by burning them.” Nowadays when the red-winged blackbird comes around the house, he still shouts “Ku nam wi cu, so they say.  Pasted from <http://www.native-languages.org/chitimachastory2.htm>

Native American Pet Names
CHOGAN: Algonquin name meaning ” blackbird.”
Pasted from <http://www.pet-net.net/pet-names/native-american-names.html>
Male Native American Names
CHOGAN: Algonquin name meaning ” blackbird.”
Pasted from <http://www.20000-names.com/male_native_american_names.htm>
American Indian Place Names In Rhode Island: Past & Present
Chagum: Pond, Newport County – A black bird [bobolink? Red winged – blackbird?]
Pasted from <http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/…/IndianPlaceNames2.html

Today I am speaking at St. Matthew’s Episcopal School here in Houma  LA for the 4th & 5th graders (33 students total) on Genealogy and what it means along with that of my Native American descendant~ School has newspaper coming along with their school paper I will be in~ Really excited – new school for me to speak at~

Airing live 6:00 pm – Oct 17th on ctv13 in Winsted CT – The Senior Chat Hour

I just got a phone call and they have asked me to come speak live on the 17th on my genealogy research

on the Barkhamsted Lighthouse People – I am so excited!

1st time on tv!

You can view the Tv station at: www.ctv13.net