"Stories are more than words. They are tools to build community, teach values, and pass on knowledge to future generations."
The land and waters known as Maine have been home to Wabanaki People for over 12,000 years. This vibrant production of Wabanaki stories and music spotlights six Wabanaki artists coming from several different nations and traditions. Musician Tania Morey (Tobique) sings of the Wolastoq; Jennifer Pictou (Mi’kmaq) regales with spirit stories told in the company of a large puppet; Dwayne Tomah (Passamaquoddy) shares stories that showcase his native language, Passamaquoddy; Ashton Altvater aka Undeniable the Native (Passamaquoddy) delights with original rap and hip hop; and Jason Brown aka Firefly (Penobscot) electrifies with cutting-edge technology blended with ancient frequencies. Director, artist and author Chris Newell (Passamaquoddy) intersperses each with music and narration.
SHOW TIMES
FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2025 – 10 AM & 12 PM (For Schools)
SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2025 – 2 PM (For the Public)
REGISTRATION
This is a free performance for all people of the Wabanaki Nations.
Registration coming soon.
ACCESSIBILITY
Information coming soon.
FEATURING
Tania Morey (Tobique) My name is Tania Maria Morey. My grandparents were Donald and Mary Sanipass from The Aroostook Band of Micmacs. Grammy was from Eskasoni, Novia Scotia, and Grampy from Elsipogtog, New Brunswick. I first learned to make a basket with my Grandmother at age 7. My dads parents were Simon Morey from Tobique First Nation, and Irene Morey. I learned that grampy used to sing in a band on the reserve. My parents were John and Marline Morey. I grew up traveling with my maternal grandparents going to basket shows, blueberry raking, and helping to teach others how to make ash baskets. I have had 5 beautiful daughters. My oldest, Tiana, traveled to the spirit world at only 7 weeks old. Creator then blessed me with Mimiques, Gesigewie Tebgunset, Mishun, and Zi’gwan. I remember spending many of my younger days in the woods of Chapman, Maine. I was only about five years old; when walking in the woods one day, I could hear a rustling sound coming from the trees. I looked up, and asked them if they wanted me to sing to them; their leaves rustled in agreement. As I sang to them their leaves swayed to and fro. This is my earliest memory singing with nature. I sing to Mother Earth still. Life has been a tremendous struggle from the day was born, but I continued to love life, it has been, and still is a beautiful journey; filled with moments of pain, but even more, so many moments of pure light and love. I am thankful for everyday. In the past few years I started weaving again with ash wood, and sweetgrass. Carrying on the tradition of weaving is helping me feel closer to Mother Earth, and my ancestors. Each splint I weave, each blade of grass I braid, every song i sing, brings me close to my Grandmother, and my Mother in the spirit world.
Welalin, Woliwon (thank you)!
Tania Morey
Jennifer Pictou (Mi’kmaq) is a member of the Mi’kmaq Nation. She is a professional storyteller, author, visual artist, and historian as well as owner of an award-winning tour company, Bar Harbor Ghost Tours. She holds a Masters Degree in American and New England Studies from the University of Southern Maine. Jennifer was introduced to traditional storytelling when she was 8 years old and has been involved with storytelling most of her adult life. Performing on stage is a recent addition to her storytelling achievements and she is continually inspired by audience reactions to her larger than life puppet co-star.
Dwayne Tomah (Passamaquoddy) is a teacher of the Passamaquoddy language and culture. He is the youngest fluent speaker of the Passamaquoddy tribe today. He has worked on language and cultural preservation his entire life. Dwayne has worked with Animal Planet on a segment on winged creatures. He edited the Passamaquoddy dictionary and is a former Tribal Council Member. Dwayne is currently working with Library of Congress on Passamaquoddy Wax cylinders. These recordings are the first recordings in the world. The wax cylinders were recorded by Jessie Walter Fukes, who borrowed the device from the inventor of the wax cylinder machine, Thomas Edison, and recorded the Passamaquoddys in 1890.
Jason Brown aka Firefly (Penobscot) seeks to illuminate the beauty and healing power of his ancient indigenous culture through music, visuals and creativity. As a member of the Penobscot Nation, Firefly is helping to place Indigenous people in a modern context. Firefly believes that through creative frequencies, we can begin to heal humanity and evolve to new levels of love, compassion and wellness.
Ashton Altvater aka Undeniable the Native (Passamaquoddy) Undeniable the Native is a 31 Year old Passamaquoddy Hip Hop Artist from the Sipayik reservation. He performed at the 2023 Wabanaki Stories performance in Portland, and has worked with artists such as the Real Swagg and is known for tracks like “Letter To God” and “I Do this 4 You” which are all available on YouTube.
Chris Newell (Passamaquoddy) is Co-Founder/Director of Education for Akomawt Educational Initiative, a majority Native-owned educational consultancy based in Connecticut. He was born and raised in Motahkmikuhk (Indian Township, ME) and is a proud citizen of the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township. Chris’s education career began immediately after high school as a substitute teacher during his time as an undergraduate at Dartmouth College. He is a longtime member of the Mystic River singers, an internationally acclaimed and award winning intertribal pow wow drum group based out of Connecticut. For over two decades, Chris devoted much of his time to Mystic River travelling all over the US and Canada singing at community pow wows and spending time in those communities learning various Native musics.
