Archaeologist to discuss new book

LITCHFIELD — The Litchfield Historical Society is hosting a talk with the former Connecticut State Archaeologist Nick Bellantoni about his new book The Long Journeys Home: The Repatriations of Henry ‘O pu kaha‘ia and Albert Afraid of Hawk, on Sunday, Sept. 23 at 3 p.m.

Henry O pu kahaia and Itankusun Wanbli lived almost a century apart and came from different Indigenous Nations – Hawaiian and Lakota. Yet the circumstances of Western imperialism that led them to leave their homelands and come to Connecticut where they died and were buried have striking similarities. In 1992 and 2008, descendant women had visitations that their ancestors wished to “come home” and they started the repatriation process. CT state archaeologist Nick Bellantoni oversaw the archaeological disinterment and forensic identifications needed to return these men to their respective Native families.

Bellantoni is an associate adjunct professor in the anthropology department at the University of Connecticut and Emeritus Connecticut State Archaeologist at the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History.

Book talks are free for members and $5 for non-members. Signed copies of his book will be available to purchase at the event. Space is limited and registration is required with payment; call 860-567-4501 or email registration@litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org. For more information about this or other programs, visit www.litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org.