#  “If you Lived During the Plimoth Thanksgiving”: Rethinking a National Story 

 



    ![Book cover of Newell's "If You Lived During the Plimoth Thanksgiving"](/sites/g/files/omnuum6806/files/styles/hwp_5_4__480x385/public/2026-09/11188.if-you-lived-during-the-plimoth-thanksgiving.main_.uad0w5uk1.jpg?itok=2aNPN6WF) 

 



 

####  calendar\_today Date and Time 

 **September 29, 2026** 

 12:00PM - 01:15PM EDT 

####  pin\_drop Location 

  

 [124 Mount Auburn Street  
Suite 200  
Ash Center Seminar Room 225  
Cambridge, MA 02138  
United States



 ](<https://www.google.com/maps?q=US MA Cambridge 02138 124 Mount Auburn Street Suite 200 Ash Center Seminar Room 225>) 



 

 [ Registration Link arrow\_circle\_right ](https://hksexeced.tfaforms.net/f/registration?e=a4oPp000001hKm5IAE) 

 



 

## “If you Lived During the Plimoth Thanksgiving”: Rethinking a National Story

The Ash Center’s Project on Indigenous Governance and Development invites you to an in-person conversation with **Chris Newell**, author of “If You Lived During the Plimoth Thanksgiving” (Scholastic 2021) and Instructor-in-Residence and Native American Cultural Director at the University of Connecticut. Written with young readers in mind, the book offers an illustrated nonfiction retelling of the 17th-century encounters between Wampanoag peoples and English colonists, as well as the creation of the modern Thanksgiving holiday. This event will be moderated by **Randall Kekoa Akee**, Julie Johnson Kidd Professor of Indigenous Governance and Development at Harvard Kennedy School, with additional discussants to be confirmed.

Open to all HUID holders. Lunch will be provided.

*This event is co-sponsored by* *the Harvard University Native American Program (HUNAP).*



 

#  More about the Speaker 

 



Chris Newell (Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township) is the author of “If You Lived During the Plimoth Thanksgiving” and the Instructor-in-Residence and Native American Cultural Program founding director at the University of Connecticut. A multi-award-winning museum professional, he was born and raised in Motahkmikuhk (Indian Township, ME). Newell is also the co-founder and Director of Education for Akomawt Educational Initiative, a majority Native-owned educational consultancy based in Connecticut.



    ![Photo of Chris Newell. ](/sites/g/files/omnuum6806/files/styles/hwp_1_1__960x960_scale/public/2026-09/2te8juqq72ci6gslu8igqpek60.jpg?itok=QQOEsask) 

 



 

 Photo of Chris Newell



   



 

 

 

#  Event Details 

 



This event is open to Harvard ID holders only and registration is required.

The Ash Center encourages individuals with disabilities to participate in its events. Should you wish to inquire about an accommodation, please contact our events team at <info@ash.harvard.edu> prior to the event.

Additional questions? Email the Ash Center events team at <info@ash.harvard.edu>.



 [ Visit our Events Page for Upcoming Events! arrow\_circle\_right ](https://indigenousgov.hks.harvard.edu/events) 

 



  [### Sourcing Wisdom, Collective Connection, and Empowerment : A Call to Action for Strengthening Indigenous Maternal and Infant Health and Wellness Across Geographies and Opportunities

 ](/event/sourcing-wisdom-collective-connection-and-empowerment-call-action-strengthening-indigenous?occ_id=0)Oct. 29 - Oct 30, 2026

|

 8:30AM - 7:00PM EDT 

|

 Smith Campus Center 

 

 In Person 

 Harvard Kennedy School Project on Indigenous Governance and Development in collaboration with Indigenous Early Learning Collaborative 

 

 

   ![Event Image Header-Plains](/sites/g/files/omnuum6806/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-08/header.jpg?itok=eNBc3Obv) 

 



 

 

  

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

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