Revolution Then & Now: Community Voices Workshop Series

Accokeek Foundation
50 minutes ago
3 min read

2026 is a landmark year as both the 250^th anniversary of the United States and the 50^th anniversary of the Trail of Self-Determination, a demonstration by the American Indian Movement in support of tribal sovereignty. Through our “Revolution Then & Now” workshop series, the Accokeek Foundation invites community members to join us in reflecting on the past, connecting with the present, and creating a shared future during this pivotal moment in our nation’s history.

*Ed McMullen presents on findings from the Black and Indigenous History of Bryans Road, Pomonkey, and Indian Head project. Photo Credit: Accokeek Foundation*

Last month, we partnered with Maryland Humanities to host the first workshop in the series, “Reimagining Revolution,” attended by 18 community members. Presenters included Dawud Abdur-Rahman and Ed McMullen from the Black and Indigenous History of Bryans Road, Pomonkey, and Indian Head project, Chief Mark Tayac and Peter Landeros of Piscataway Indian Nation, Tiara Thomas from the Accokeek Foundation, and Matt Champagne from the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area.

*Left to right: Dawud Abdur-Rahman, Chief Mark Tayac and Peter Landeros, Alexandra Cenatus (Maryland Humanities), and Matt Champagne. Photo Credit: Maryland Humanities*

Together, participants learned about community partnerships and regional projects supporting cultural stewardship in Southern Maryland, as well as the American Indian Movement and its role in the Piscataway Resurgence. Future workshops will include “Education as Liberation” on February 21 and “Justice in Place” on April 25 (register here).

Through support from National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways and Maryland 250 Commission, the Accokeek Foundation will also host a June event commemorating the nation's 250th anniversary and an Indigenous People's Day Celebration in October.

Serena Bellew, Superintendent of National Capital Area Parks-East, shared that “The National Park Service is proud to support the Accokeek Foundation’s leadership in stewarding Piscataway Park as a place where history, culture, and living traditions come together. These commemorative events and community workshops create meaningful opportunities for people to engage with the shared histories of this landscape, while strengthening cultural tourism and economic vitality in Southern Maryland. We are excited to see this initiative bring new and returning visitors into deeper relationship with this remarkable place.”

These events and workshops are part of Accokeek Reimagined: Xuyawatuney Tëmixèq Mòyaon (We Welcome All to Mòyaon), a cultural tourism project designed to elevate awareness of the Chesapeake region’s rich cultural, historical, and environmental legacy.

Accokeek Foundation staff members Tiara Thomas, Kate Hanfling, and Anjela Barnes share new Piscataway Park signage developed by the Accokeek Foundation education team. Photo credit: Maryland Humanities

Anjela Barnes, Executive Director of the Accokeek Foundation, explained that “Accokeek Reimagined emerged from a vision to more fully honor Piscataway Park as a living cultural landscape shaped by Indigenous knowledge, shared histories, and enduring relationships to land and water. This initiative reflects our commitment to welcoming communities into deeper connection with this place, while advancing cultural tourism, stewardship, and economic vitality across Southern Maryland.”

The Foundation invites all community members to join us for upcoming workshops: “Education as Liberation” on February 21 and “Justice in Place” on April 25. Registration is free, and lunch will be provided. Learn more about these upcoming workshops and register here: https://www.accokeek.org/event-list

This project is funded through support from National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways (NPS Chesapeake Gateways) and Maryland Humanities.