PEM Pals: Native American Heritage Month
PEM Pals: Thanksgiving Stories is a sensory, family-oriented program for children ages 5 and under and their caregivers. The event explores the first Thanksgiving from a Wampanoag perspective through a reading of *Keepunumuk: Weeâchumun’s Thanksgiving Story*, a picture book created by Indigenous writers and artists. The story follows Native Americans as they teach the Pilgrims to grow the Three Sisters—corn, beans and squash—to help ensure a successful harvest.
The program combines storytelling with movement, music, art and hands-on activities. Live music includes acoustic guitar and singing, which may be moderately loud. Afterward, families are encouraged to visit the museum’s presentation *On This Ground: Being and Belonging in America*, featuring works by past and present Native American artists.
When: Friday, November 13, 2026
Showtimes: 10:30–11:30 am
Venue: Peabody Essex Museum, Main Atrium
Tickets: Price not available
Admission: Included with museum admission
Ages: Designed for children ages 5 and under and their caregivers
Program: Reading of *Keepunumuk: Weeâchumun’s Thanksgiving Story*, followed by music, movement, art and hands-on activities
Book creators: Danielle Greendeer of the Mashpee Wampanoag Nation, Anthony Perry of the Chickasaw Nation, Alexis Bunten of Unangan/Yup’ik heritage, and illustrator Garry Meeches Sr. of Anishinaabe heritage
Music and education collaborators: Teresa Inés Coelho, a performing arts educator and Berklee College of Music graduate who teaches music and movement using the Music Together curriculum; and Dillian McGahey, an illustrator and arts educator who has taught at PEM since 2020
Accessibility note: The program includes moderately loud live music with acoustic guitar and singing.