Conversations: Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel - The Lasting of the Mohegans
Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel is an award winning author, screenwriter, Medicine Woman and tribal historian for the Mohegan tribe of Uncasville in Connecticut.
I had the privilege of speaking to Melissa a few weeks ago. We discussed the history of the Mohegan people, the extraordinary story of Melissa's great Aunt Gladys (the preceding Medicine Woman in the tribe and a woman who drew breath in three different centuries), perspectives on history, and writing.
We recorded a video a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, through an error on my end the video file was corrupted and lost. The audio has been saved and I am proud to present this fascinating conversation from which I learned a lot. This conversation in particular made clear to me our close connection to the past, and the living history that we have here in New England which is all around us.
Youtube link:
Downloadable audio via Soundcloud:
Sources mentioned in this conversation:
- Medicine Trail: The Life and Lessons of Gladys Tantaquidgeon by Melissa Jane Fawcett (Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel)
- I've titled this conversation after another book written by Melissa, The Lasting of the Mohegans
- Spirit of the New England Tribes by WIlliam S. Simmons
- Savage Kin: Indigenous Informants and American Anthropologists by Margaret M. Bruchac
- Firsting and Lasting: Writing Indians Out of Existence in New England by Jean O'Brien
- Our Beloved Kin: A New History of King Philip's War by Lisa Brooks
Further:
- Melissa's bio page on the Mohegan tribe's website
