Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance – French & Indian War Society Hosting Free Program on Native Peoples in the Region
The Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance and the French & Indian War Society at Lake George will be hosting a joint program entitled “A History of the Lake George Area & the Nations Who Called It Home”. This event will be presented by Heather Bruegl, a nationally recognized historian and citizen of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin. This free event will take place on July 5th, 2023, at 7:00 PM, and will be held at the Fort William Henry Hotel and Conference Center. Attendees will learn about the early Native peoples who lived and sustained themselves in this area, and the policies that removed Indigenous Nations from their homes and ultimately pushed them onto reservations.
This program is the latest in a series being co-sponsored by the Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance and the French and Indian War Society at Lake George. Their goal is to increase awareness of the region’s early history. Heather Bruegl will share her expertise in the field of history and indigenous people. Heather graduated from Madonna University, with a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in U.S. History. Her research includes numerous topics related to American history, legacies of colonization, and Indigeneity. Heather is currently a doctoral student at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, where she is studying First Nations Education, with a focus on creating inclusive historical narratives for teaching.
Kathryn Flacke-Muncil is a founder of the French & Indian War Society at Lake George, and CEO of the Fort William Henry Corporation: “Fort William Henry has partnered with Heather Bruegl to elevate the interpretation of Indigenous history. Heather’s personal background and extensive knowledge have provided an opportunity to enhance the representation of Indigenous allies’ pivotal roles during 18th Century battles at and around Lake George. It has also expanded the educational narrative surrounding pre-European contact,” Ms. Flacke-Muncil said. “This collaborative program with the Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance signifies a significant milestone for Fort William Henry in its commitment to present a more comprehensive and accurate account of Indigenous history. By harnessing Heather Brugel’s expertise, the museum aims to deliver an enriched understanding of the area’s historical context to the public. Heather’s presentation offers the opportunity to the public to hear from this expert ahead of a new exhibit Fort William Henry will soon be opening.”
Jay Levenson is a Trustee of the Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance, and a Native American living historian: “The history of Native Americans in the Lake George region is a complex story of intertribal and European relations during both peace times and war. It is a story that needs to be told,” he said.
Space is limited for this event. Please register in advance at the following email address: info@lakegeorgebattlefield.org.