From Manuscripts to Museums: Sharing Indigenous Narratives

In Vanessa Lillie’s new book, The Bone Thief, archaeologist Syd Walker investigates the mystery of a missing Indigenous woman, uncovering a long history of violence that the local community has kept buried for generations. Join Vanessa and Tomaquag Museum Executive Director Lorén Spears at LitArts RI for a conversation about how they each conceive of and carry out the historical research that informs their work. For Vanessa, how does mixing history with fiction help her locate the truth in storytelling? For Lorén, how does her role as gatherer, interpreter, and disseminator of stories and histories influence her work as a museum scholar and educator? For both, how do they navigate the dynamic relationships between history, stories, truth, and fiction to create their work? And how do stories from the past continue to affect us in the present?

This event is free and open to the public but seating is limited and registration is required. Please contact christina@litartsri.org with any questions. We hope to see you!

5:30pm: Doors open and books available for sale, thanks to our friends at Heartleaf Books
6pm: Program
7:15pm: Book sales and signing

Accessibility

LitArts RI is wheelchair accessible. The organization is actively committed to cultivating a community that values and reflects diversity, equity and inclusivity and to providing programming that is accessible to all attendees. Please let us know about any accommodations we can make to allow you to participate fully in this event.

Health Safety Guidelines

If you have tested positive for Covid-19 within a few days of attending an event at LitArts RI, please contact Staff so we can let others know of possible exposure. We ask that you wait 14 days or until testing negative to return to the Center.