Q&A

Native Americans in NH: Q&A with Anne Jennison and Denise Pouliot

Native Americans in NH: Q&A with Anne Jennison and Denise Pouliot

Archeological evidence shows that indigenous people lived in New Hampshire for more than 13,000 years. 

Today, about 4,000 Granite Staters, or .3% of the state's population, identify as Native American, though actual numbers could be double that. 

The State We’re In host Melanie Plenda recently sat down to discuss the history of indigenous people in the state, and current efforts to recognize and celebrate that history and culture with  historian Anne Jennison, chair of the state's Commission on Native American Affairs and Denise Pouliot, a member of the commission and the Sag8moskwa or Head Female Speaker of the Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook-Abenaki People.

“Freedom from Discrimination” Law Impact

“Freedom from Discrimination” Law Impact

Critics say that the Divisive Concepts, or Freedom From Discrimination law, puts a chill on important conversations about race and history in schools. It specifically prohibits schools or governmental agencies from teaching that an individual is racist, sexist, or otherwise oppressive by virtue of their age, sex, or other identity, either consciously or unconsciously. The state legislature is currently considering a handful of bills that would enact changes to the law from repealing it to expanding its reach to universities and colleges. Joining the State We’re In host Melanie Plenda to discuss the issue is JerriAnne Boggis, executive director of the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire; state Senator David Watters; Granite State News Collaborative reporter, Jenny Whidden; and Jonathan Friedman, director of Free Expression and Education for PEN America. Later, 8th grade American History teacher at Portsmouth Middle School Erin Bakkom weighs in with her perspective.