Talk of the Towns 5/10/19: The Abbe Museum and the Road to De-Colonization

Producer/Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Studio Engineer: Amy Browne Key discussion points: How has the Abbe board, staff and stakeholders used your strategic planning process to better define the direction and aspirations for the Abbe What is “decolonization” and how have you worked on that at the Abbe? What differences might we see and feel in a museum that is down the road with decolonization? The Abbe has been at the forefront of decolonization… what responses are most gratifying as you work with colleagues around the world? One aspect of your strategic plan, and your efforts toward decolonization is the upcoming Abbe Museum Indian Market on May 17-19 in Bar Harbor. What is the history of Indian Markets, including the earliest sales by Native Americans to summer visitors to Mount Desert Island up to the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market in Phoenix… is the Abbe an East Coast echo to the Heard event?  ? Guests: Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko, President and CEO, Abbe Museum Gabriel Frey, Abbe Board member, Passamaquoddy Basket Maker Suzanne Greenlaw, Abbe Native Advisory Council, Maliseet Tribe, Doctoral Candidate, UMaine, research on sustainable harvest of sweetgrass, basketmaker