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A Dakota Summer Story: Camping at Oahe with the Eastman Family
July 12, 2023 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
The Historical Society of Cheshire County invites the public to a presentation on Wednesday, July 12th at 6:30 pm on the outdoor education created by Charles (Ohiyesa) Eastman—Dakota physician, author, and activist. The Eastman family founded Camp Oahe in 1916 in Stoddard, NH as a summer camp for girls. Guest lecturer, Professor Kiara Vigil of Amherst College will provide new insights into the “playing Indian” phenomenon that was a large part of an American youth wilderness movement. For the Eastmans, “Indian play” served a broader pedagogical and political purpose. Their camp sought to teach young white girls about the values of Dakota teachings to recast Indian culture. Professor Vigil’s lecture provides an analysis of early twentieth-century gender roles, dynamics, and expectations related to Indian people to reveal another dimension of outdoor education in shaping American attitudes toward identity, family, childhood, and nation.
Seating is limited please register to attend this event. Click here to register.