On June 6, 2013, I traveled across the waters of Long Island Sound to present my research on the Indian Mariners Project at the Shinnecock Nation Cultural Center and Museum.  During my stay I was able to spend time with Tohanash Tarrant, Matauqus Tarrant, and Roddy Smith learning about the tribe’s considerable whaling history (including the origins of the American whalefishery).  I shared my findings from Hawai’i and from the records of the Customs District of New London where many Shinnecock and neighboring Montauk whalemen appear.  I will leave with images of Shinnecock whalers, images of objects associated with their maritime labor, documents, stories, and – most importantly – many new friends.

Shinnecock Nation Cultural Center and Museum

Shinnecock Whaling exhibit