Kids discover Long Island’s Indigenous history through hands-on workshop
The educational program introduced families to the history of Long Island’s Indigenous communities and the craft of creating a Mishoon, a dugout canoe made by burning and carving out a tree trunk.
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Children at the Long Island Children's Museum got a chance to tap into their creativity while learning about the Indigenous people of Long Island during a special hands-on workshop centered around the traditional Mishoon.
“I really like it, and I learned about Indigenous Peoples Day,” said Elisabeth Gravino, of Baldwin.
The educational program introduced families to the history of Long Island’s Indigenous communities and the craft of creating a Mishoon, a dugout canoe made by burning and carving out a tree trunk.
“We're surrounded by water here on Long Island, right? So, in order to get around and do all that fishing they would use to eat, they would need a boat to get around,” an instructor explained during the workshop.
After learning about the history and significance of the vessel, children and their families put their artistic skills to work, coloring, cutting out and assembling their own miniature Mishoons.
Asking whether her creation would float, one young participant laughed off the idea.“Ummm, nah. That cardboard will get ruined,” she said. Parents said the workshop offered an engaging way for children to learn outside the classroom.
“The workshop was very informative,” said Steve Gravino, of Baldwin. “It’s nice to see all the kids enjoy it. It was interactive, and they taught them about how the Mishoons were actually made.”
The event marked the first time the Long Island Children's Museum hosted the workshop. Organizers said it was designed to teach children about the Indigenous people of Long Island while highlighting the craftsmanship behind the traditional canoe.
An authentic Mishoon on display at the museum was donated by the Shinnecock Nation last year.
“The Mishoon was not treated like an artifact up on the wall to look at, but it was actually made so kids can get in, they can pretend play, they can see and feel what it’s like to be in that boat,” said Erika Floreska, a representative of the museum.
Museum officials said the workshop provides a fun, interactive way for children to connect with the history and culture of Long Island’s Indigenous communities.
