TITLE: Wayne Newell and Blanch Sockabasin: Traditional Passamaquoddy Music From Maine
SPEAKER: Wayne Newell, Blanch Sockabasin
EVENT DATE: 09/16/2009
RUNNING TIME: 65 minutes
DESCRIPTION:
Wayne Newell and Blanch Sockabasin, members of the Passamaquoddy Tribe in Maine, perform at Coolidge Auditorium. They share music and culture of the Passamaquoddy Tribe.
Speaker Biography: Wayne Newell was born at Sipayik (Pleasant Point) Reservation in eastern Maine and is a member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe. Wayne is a storyteller, singer of Passamaquoddy and other Native music. He speaks the Passamaquoddy language fluently and utilizes English as his second language. Educated at the local schools, he eventually went on to earn his Master's degree in the field of education from Harvard University. Wayne's first love is the preservation of the Passamaquoddy language. In 1971, he directed the first bilingual/bicultural education program for the Passamaquoddy Tribe. This program included the introduction of a writing system for the Passamaquoddy language which continues to be spoken by tribal members. He authored and co-authored over forty reading books written in the Passamaquoddy/Maliseet language.
Speaker Biography: Blanch Sockabasin is a member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe in Princeton, Maine. She teaches Native music, drumming, singing and dancing at the Indian Township School in eastern Maine. Blanch also makes Native baskets and works with leather crafts. Her first love is teaching all that she can about Passamaquoddy culture and language. She was recently honored by the Maine State Legislature for her efforts in preserving the Passamaquoddy way of life. She is deeply committed to passing on the rich Passamaquoddy culture to the children of her Tribe.
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SERIES: Homegrown
