“As a young girl living on Mohegan, Rachel learned traditional stories of giants and little people from her elders. The giant, Moshup, is always connected to the land and sea of southern New England. Mohegan and Pequot people as well as Aquinnah and Mashpee Wampanoags have many stories about Moshup, which have been passed down for hundreds of years.

In the 1920s, Rachel’s great-aunt Gladys Tantaquidgeon began recording Moshup stories among the Aquinnah of Martha’s Vineyard. Rachel demonstrated that while many different people have recorded Moshup stories, each from a unique perspective and for different purposes, these stories have always connected the Wampanoag people to the landscape, thereby reinforcing sovereignty for their Nation and ensuring their survival.”

During this live discussion, Rachel will be introducing the staff of the Institute of Contemporary Art to Moshup the giant. She will be discussing the history and significance of this story to Indigenous communities here in southern New England.