The Tomaquag Museum stands as a vital cultural institution, where Rhode Island’s Indigenous history is preserved and shared. Lorén Spears, the museum’s Executive Director, highlights how the museum serves as a bridge connecting the local community to its Native roots, fostering an appreciation of Indigenous resilience and traditions passed down through generations.
Empowering Indigenous Communities
A core focus of the museum is the Indigenous Empowerment Center, managed by Samantha Cullen-Frye, which provides resources like job training, business support, and cultural education to uplift Native communities. Samantha Cullen-Frye explains the importance of these initiatives in fostering economic independence and social justice, helping build a foundation for future generations as she states “Trust is a big issue within the community...so what we do is we leverage our relationship with the community and partner institutions to create that synergy and understanding for what we all need.”
A Living History
From traditional artifacts to modern programs, the Tomaquag Museum invites visitors to experience Native culture in a dynamic and meaningful way. The impact doesn’t stop there, with their gift store working as a “living museum”, as Lorén puts it, local Native artists have the opportunity to put their talent on display so guests can have the opportunity to buy and support local artists. Gifts on display range from homemade wampum earrings to museum merch. All proceeds go to the artists and museum. They even provide an online store for guests to purchase from.
Don’t miss this insightful episode that celebrates Rhode Island’s Indigenous heritage! You can watch the full episode here or listen to the podcast here.
