FPRNWR Lepionka 16Aug2017  Native Americans depended on the resource-rich environment of the Parker River watershed and Plum Island around the time of European contact. Their livelihoods were organized seasonally, focusing on local plant and animal subsistence resources and economic activities for spring, summer, fall, and winter. The people–Abenaki-speaking Pawtucket-Pennacook with roots in New Hampshire–had a permanent agricultural village at Quascacunquen (Kwaskwikikwen), near Indian Hill in West Newbury. How they managed to thrive is a story of ingenuity, resilience, and intimate knowledge of their environment.

Local historian Mary Ellen Lepionka will share her knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, this most interesting topic. She is a publisher, author, editor, textbook developer, and college instructor with a Master’s degree in anthropology from Boston University and post-graduate work at the University of British Columbia. Since 2008 she has researched the findings and available information in our local area of the Native American people who lived here. She is a trustee and member of the Massachusetts Archaeological Society.  The program will take place in the refuge visitor center auditorium. This evening program, is free to the public and sponsored by the Friends of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and the US FWS Parker River NWR, and is another in the Guest Lecture Series Celebrating Parker River National Wildlife Refuge’s 75th Year!