FARMINGTON — November is Native American Heritage Month and members of the Colonial Daughters Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution are acknowledging the contribution of Native Americans to the history and culture of this country.

The town has issued a proclamation and Maine Indian literature is on display at the Farmington Public Library, said Connie Hiltz, DAR chaplain and chairwoman of the group’s American Indian Committee.

The DAR promotes God, country, patriotism and education while remembering the contributions of American Indians with an Indian moment held during each meeting, she said.

A proclamation designating November as Native American Heritage Month in Farmington and signed by Town Manager Richard Davis, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, has been issued.

When Farmington Public Library’s librarian, Melanie Coombs, learned of the group’s efforts to observe the month, a collaboration began between the DAR and the library.

The library has recently received a gift, “The Passamaquoddy Language and Culture Collection,” through a grant from the Maine Community Foundation, she said.  The collection includes a DVD set, a film and a Passamaquoddy-Maliseet Dictionary of the Penobscot tribe language.

A showcase of Maine Indian books is on display through November in the main entrance to the library in recognition of the town’s proclamation and to introduce the new materials received by the library.  These provide an “educational resource for those who want to learn more about Maine’s Native Passamaquoddy language and culture,” according to a letter received with the materials.

The Farmington library was one of only a few chosen within the state to receive the materials, she said. These are available for the public to loan.

This is not the first united effort between the DAR and library. A bush purchased and planted by the DAR grows on the library lawn and a basket made by Pierpole’s wife, Hannah Susup, and owned by the DAR group is on display at the library, Hiltz said. Pierpole was a friend to some of Farmington’s earliest settlers and the handcarved birch bark basket was passed down and ended up with the local group.

The DAR group also helps support a couple of Indian schools, Hiltz added. Their next project to honor the spirit of Native Americans is a celebration of Native American veterans on April 30.

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