Woodland Indian Educational Programs

WIEP utilizes living history as an educational tool.  Mark dresses in typical European trader/woodsman style (a mixture of both Anglo and Native clothing influences), while Jessica dresses in Woodland Native-style outfits.  However, Jessica only dresses in period Native-style clothing when appropriate - in conjunction with educationally-based programs.  To do otherwise would be disrespectful.  She reserves the right to not wear period Native-style clothing if she deems it inappropriate or feels it not necessary, and will teach in everyday professional attire instead (as she does for school programs).  Jessica finds wearing period Native-style clothing to be appropriate for most history, museum, and powwow events. 

And please note that although Mark and Jessica do wear period clothing, they are not reenactors, as in they do not act in "first person."  Jessica is a historical interpreter who feel acting in this manner personally inhibits WIEP's teaching methods and message of cultural and historical awareness (however Mark and Jessica are still at home at any historical reenactment).  WIEP follows the training, lessons, and practices taught to Jessica by her first museum job and its professional environment.  WIEP continues to utilize a fun, interactive, engaging, and above all, respectful program format and method of teaching. 

These are WIEP's ethics concerning the responsibility attached to the mixture of living history and Native American subjects.  It is what WIEP believes to be a positive while respectful force in the realm of spreading Native American historical-cultural awareness.  It's not just everyone's history... it's truly a reclaimed history of the Native community, integral in a continuing story of cultural identity among Eastern Woodland Peoples.    
 

For living history events and reenactments:
We have provided several photos of our period garments and camp.  Please click on each to view the photos for clothing and camp checks.