FARMINGTON – The University of Maine at Farmington will host a conference, “Wabanaki: Exploring the Past, Imagining the Future,” starting at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, in North Dining Hall, Olsen Student Center.

A preconference workshop will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, in Roberts Learning Center, Room 023. The conference and workshop are free and open to the public.

The all-day event on Sept. 28 will include workshops, exhibits, panel discussions and a free performance by the Penobscot drumming troupe – Rez Dawgs, to be held at 7 p.m. at Lincoln Auditorium, UMF Roberts Learning Center.

The conference, made possible by a grant from the Maine Humanities Council, will provide an opportunity for pre- and in-service teachers to learn more about the history, economic systems, culture, language and government of the Wabanaki people.

While scholars at the university level have engaged in Native American studies for many years, information about Native Americans in Maine kindergarten through 12 classrooms has been sparse, which led to Maine legislation in 2001 requiring that Wabanaki studies be included in the curriculum beginning in the 2004-2005 school year.

In addition to teachers from school districts throughout Maine, community members, UMF faculty and students are invited to attend.

For more information, contact UMF Early Childhood/Elementary Education Instructor Rebecca Berger at rebecca.berger@maine.edu or at 778-7503.

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