As a Native American living in a city, Larry Spotted Crow Mann, an award-winning author and storyteller, navigated a world where his heritage was either forgotten or mocked. At school, he faced relentless questions like "What are you?" and was told that his people were extinct. While back home, he sought refuge in his connection with nature and his family’s traditions, especially through the wisdom of his grandfather. Mann’s experience is not unique. Many marginalized communities have long endured the burden of being “othered,” their histories erased or rewritten. Their experiences can profoundly affect their mental health and well-being. Traumatic events can also serve as triggers for substance misuse, according to The National Institutes of Health. Since the landing of the Mayflower, alcohol has taken a horrible toll on Indigenous communities. Generation after generation has suffered from its grip. In a 2008 report from the CDC, 11.7 percent of deaths among Native Americans and Alaska Natives between 2001 and 2005 were alcohol-related, compared with 3.3 percent for the U.S.A. as a whole. Teen suicide, birth defects, break up of families, violence in the home and community and high incarceration rates are all common.

In this powerful and deeply personal presentation, Mann takes the audience on a journey from his early struggles with alcohol, his experiences with racism and the crushing weight of generational trauma to his profound awakening during a moment of clarity while watching a documentary about Christopher Columbus. This turning point in Mann's life inspired him to reclaim his Nipmuc identity and embark on a mission of cultural revival through the power of the sacred drum and his family's rich oral traditions. Over the last 35 years, Mann and his family have traveled the world, sharing songs, stories and the enduring spirit of the Nipmuc people. His story of resilience, healing and the power of reclaiming one's identity will leave audiences deeply moved and inspired to reflect on the importance of cultural preservation and self-empowerment.