ADIRONDACKS FOR ALL: Deep History and Belonging in the Adirondacks

The Adirondack mountains, lakes, and forests are an international symbol of wilderness within which humans are often considered to be recent intruders. In fact, the story of the human presence on this landscape runs even deeper than the forests themselves. Since the end of the last Ice Age when open tundra still dominated the region, predecessors and ancestors of Haudenosaunee and Abenaki peoples have made this region their home, although many historical accounts falsely claim that indigenous people were only visitors or absent altogether. This program will explore the deep human history of the Adirondacks and consider ways in which recent archeological discoveries have pushed the boundaries of scientific and historical knowledge and helped to shape larger discussions of belonging, ownership, stewardship, and the concept of wilderness itself.
About the speakers:
Curt Stager is a scientist, educator, and author whose research deals with climate change and deep ecological histories of lakes and landscapes around the world. His work is published in prominent technical journals such as Science as well as periodicals such as National Geographic and The New York Times, and he co-hosts Natural Selections, a weekly science program on North Country Public Radio. Curt is the author of four books, most recently “Still Waters: The Secret World of Lakes.” He teaches natural sciences and holds an endowed research chair at Paul Smith’s College in upstate New York. In 2013, the Carnegie-Case Foundation named him Science Professor of the Year for New York State.
David Fadden was born to John and Eva Fadden in Lake Placid, NY and grew up in the tiny Adirondack Mountain community of Onchiota. In his youth, he grew up surrounded by the wild beauty of the region, by his grandparents Ray and Christine Fadden’s teachings and stories, and by his parents’ creative example and encouragement. Eva Fadden expressed through wood sculpture and John, a retired art teacher, is a painter and prolific illustrator. With strong ties to both Akwesasne and Onchiota, David has established a solid reputation as a painter, but he is also recognized as a storyteller, illustrator, writer, and sculptor. An admirer of the Dutch and Renaissance painters David finds inspiration in the old masters’ eloquent and seemingly effortless use of light. His subjects range from traditional Haudenosaunee teachings to intimate and inspired portrayals of community members. Working primarily in acrylics, he often combines fine brushwork with palette knife applications to produce luminous interpretations of Haudenosaunee youth and elders.
Tim Messner is a father, a wanna-be craftsman, low-level food producer, professor, and archaeologist. His family moved to Kanienkehaka (Mohawk) territory in 2012 when Messner started a job at SUNY Potsdam. Soon after arriving in the North Country, Messner became interested in the deep Indigenous history of the Adirondack uplands. He has spent the last decade exploring the Adirondacks for recreational and scholarly pursuits.
The “Adirondacks for All” program series was developed in partnership with the Adirondack Experience, the Adirondack Diversity Initiative, The Wild Center, and the Nature Conservancy.
Program recorded May 31, 2022.

[@maxxonetwo3]

Excellent information. Thank you Richard Adirondack Rustic Design. Lake George.

[@kerrycannan9296]

This was absolutely fantastic! I am looking forward to more of these! My ancestors arrived in the Indian lLake/Blue Mountain Lake region in the 1800s from East Quebec, settling in what was known then as “Little Canada”. They were lumbermen, farmers, and guides. My grandmother always used to say we had Native American ancestry but I’ve never found proof in genealogy research so it is likely a myth. My father was quite a woodsman in the ADKS. I used to run trap lines with him to sell fur as a child because money was tight. (Didn’t do much for my dating life as a young girl, haha.) Dad hunted and fished to put food on the table, and taught us how to live in the woods for weeks with just a backpack, a tent, and sometimes a canoe; Activities I still enjoy. One of my favorite memories of dad was how he related many of life‘s teachings to the ways of the wolf pack,. His favorite phrase when he was about to show us something pretty cool, was “Let me show you an old indian trick.” That being said, I’m pretty sure he is still laughing after he convinced me to chew wads of spruce tree sap because it was “indian gum”. I wonder how many bugs I ate. 🤣 Dad often quizzed us to name the tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy, which we all knew by heart by the age of 4 or 5 I’m sure. I now live in the Finger Lakes region which has a rich Haudenosaunnee culture, but we still maintain our old camp on Blue Mtn Lake which was built on land given to my great, great grandfather by the Merwin family in 1913.
Anyway, excellent presentation by all speakers! I loved hearing the history. Bravo! 👏 Can’t wait to watch more of these!

[@michaeldeponte8066]

U might have Native American my Great great grandfather was born in Indian lake New York Allen Ray Jones Born 1878 all my Great Great uncles and aunts born blue mountain and long lake according to my DNA 2% the jones had Native American so Tracing it know genealogy Dna is my Hobby

[@klaytonpeterson1596]

Excellent....Thank you so very much!!!

[@aidenprintup4547]

I would like to thank all 3 of you for your work and knowledge of your studies and maintaining the truth .

[@DaxWoodsWanderer]

This was a fascinating presentation! Thanks for sharing!

[@KimSmith-n8w]

Thank you I've heard stories from my grandmother about Adirondack Indians when I was younger our blood line she said

[@hollychorba]

Super presentation! Thank you for shedding light on the past. So much more accurate than the assumptions published earlier.