Guest speaker David Eichelberg
Stratford Library Sunday Afternoon Talks
Sunday, April 14, from 2 – 3:30 P.M.
Lovell Room
Hosted by Charles Lautier of Stratford
Free and open to the public
The Sunday Afternoon Talks series of informative and entertaining talks features prominent local guest speakers. The series continues with David Eichelberg, who will discuss the history, culture, and traditions of the Mohegan people that originate in the 1630s.
The Mohegan Story starts when a man named Uncas rebelled against the Pequot Nation. Following his rebellion, he is banished from the tribe and asks his loyal followers to go with him in search of their own lands. Uncas takes his loyal warriors and families and moves westward across the Thames river and ends up in modern day “Fort Shantok”, the Home of the Mohegan Nation.
David Eichelberg is the Outreach and Tradition specialist for the Mohegan Tribe. He graduated from Mitchell College in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in sports management. As a young boy, he learned from his father and grandfather about his Mohegan history and culture, and was brought to tribal meetings, drum practices, and other events. When he was older he was a part of the “Unity of Nations” drum group, as well as learning how to traditionally dance in the Eastern War style of powwow dancing.
He currently leads the tribe’s boys’ drum group, along with teaching male dance classes. According to Eichelberg, “Working to promote our tribal identity and culture has given me great joy over the past two years, and I strive to learn as many traditional teachings and ways of life as I can to honor the sacrifices of the Mohegan men and women before me.”
For further information visit: www.stratfordlibrary.org or call the Library at: 203.385-4162.
