Herring Hats a hit at Indigenous Peoples Day

The dreary weather didn’t keep young people away from making Herring Hats with me at the Charles River Watershed Association‘s booth at the Indigenous Peoples Day Ceremonial Celebration in Newton! I was so honored to attend! I was so inspired by all these young makers’ creative ideas for decorating their herring hats. When somebody finished and a seat opened up, a new person sat down right away excited to craft a herring hat and undaunted by the number or steps. Their enthusiasm was contagious.

While they crafted their hats, we talked about the annual herring migration of alewives and blue back herring from the salty ocean up freshwater rivers to spawn in our lakes, ponds and creeks to lay their eggs. The young people expressed curiosity, wonder and appreciation as we discussed the ecological importance and significance of the “the fish that feeds all” to our ecosystem’s biodiversity and also indigenous cultural heritage. Busy hands drawing and making while listening and talking are some of the best ways to learn important deep content. At the celebration, I was so happy to meet local indigenous artists and activists, eat some delicious indigenous food, and see and hear inspiring singing, drumming and dancing.