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55 Kinsman Hill Rd, Lisbon, CT 06351 • 860-705-9150 • Paintedturtle77@comcast.net
Christopher Painted Turtle Harris
Personal StatementHaving grown up in the presence of Tribal activities, I have always known my heritage and expressed my appreciation for the Earth Mother and all her gifts. In 1996, I left a successful career to work for our Tribal family business. This move dictated the next 29 years of service to our People. I am humbled by the blessings our Tribal people have brought by entrusting my ability to serve on the Council of Elders. My hope is to continue representing our Family each day, in an honorable way and to be thankful to the Creator for the discoveries with dignity and grace. I am responsible for carrying the message of Mohegan. The chance to serve has been a blessing as well as teaching and learning from our youth has been a great gift.
Tribal Community InvolvementTribal Pipe Carrier
Tribal Veteran’s Honor Guard 2012-present Elder’s Council Secretary 2020-2024 Elder’s Council-Councilor 2016-2020
NAHAC (Native American Heritage Advisory Council) 2004-2008 / 2016-present
· Liaison between Ct Native Affairs Council and the Tribe
· Recording Secretary 2004-2005/2020- present Annual Homecoming Canoe Trip Committee 2008-present Wigwam Pow-wow Volunteer 2000-present
Language Committee circa 2003-present
Wigwam Pow-wow Co-chair 98-99
· Reintroduced Cedar Arbor along with Tom Throws His Hatchet Epps
· Volunteer coordinator
Tribal Drummer/Dancer outreach 97-present
· Pow-wows
· Schools
· Big E, Dartmouth, Mount Holyoke – Tribal representation and presenter
Develop 4 Winds 12 Step Recovery Model
· Recovery model used in treatment centers for Mohegan Tribal members
Sober House Committee
· Contributed to planning and developing Umbusk Wigo-Tribal recovery house
Started Tribal Addiction Recovery Talking Circle 1997 Wigwam / Museum Village maintenance committee 2012-present Unity of Nations Drum 2000-2011
Teacher and Spiritual Advisor/consultant
· Cable tv show with Earnest Gilman 1997
· Met with Norwich Spiritual Leaders to discuss Native American spiritual integration within various religious practice 1997
· Herbal teaching and herbal identification walks
o Cultural Week
o Summer Camp
o Winter Herbal Series
Mohawk Tree of Peace Society 1997-2001
· Trained with Chief Jake Swamp in Mohawk Tribal history and ceremony
Longhouse development coordinator 1997
· Originally looked at building at Shantok which led to an archeological study of the Cedar Grove which in turn developed into the annual Archeology Field School
Mohegan Strategic Planning Committee 1997
· Contributed to the development of the Mohegan Tribal Vision Statement
· Contributed to list of Tribal diversification goals
Reburial Committee 1990’s
· Repatriation
· Participated in ceremony and retrieving remains and funerary items from Harvard and Yale
Incoming Elder’s Council gift craftsperson 1990’s
Ceremony
· Performed many ceremonies including blessings, weddings, births, funerals and spiritual cleanings
· Spent years with Earnest Gilman (Pipe carrier)
Community Involvement
Norwich Arts Center Show Volunteer 2019-present
Pastoral Care Volunteer- Lawrence & Memorial Hospital- Oct 2014-present
· Ordained Minister
· Bring Native Spiritual care to patients and families
Connecticut Men’s Gathering- 501c3 organization fostering personal growth within the male community 1991-present
· Board member 2006-2015
o Recording Secretary 2007-2013
o Vice-president 2011-2013
o President 2013-2015
· Ritual Committee 2006-present
Lisbon Farmers Market
· Committee member 2013-2015
CLICK- 501c3 Commercially Licensed Co-operative Kitchen 2011-present
· Teacher
· Herbal walks
· Community sustainable farming initiative
ExperienceMohegan Tribe Council of Elders 2016-2024
Mohegan Sun Casino Sept 1996- October 2016
· Engineering Technical Support Specialist Supervisor Sept 2013-October 2016
o Developing and managing MRO parts for the complete Engineering Department
o Supervise day-to-day operations of Engineering Dispatchers and Engineering Technical Support Specialists
· Commercial Appliance Technician Sept 1996-Sept 2013
o Repair and maintain commercial appliances used in day-to-day operations
o Develop and maintain shop parts management program
o Received attendance and performance awards
o CT Licensed P-2 Plumbing & Piping Unlimited Journeyperson
Mohegan Tribe 1997-2000
Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program Adviser – Cultural Outreach
· Develop Four-Winds 12 step recovery program using traditional spiritual methods for Tribal members
· Pow-wow Coordinator; scheduling volunteers, oversee arbor construction, setup
· Numerous outreach programs including The Big E and various craft teaching classes
· Assist with Shantok Village archeology project
· Start 12 step talking circle (Four Winds) for Tribal member
Muddy Turtle Traditions Owner 1996- present
· Develop and market Native American crafts
· Teacher and consultant to herbal studies, both Tribal and community
Ct Army National Guard- E4- 1992-1995
Education
2014-2015 Accredited Clinical Pastoral Education 400 hours New London, CT March 2012- 2020 Twin Star Herbal School New Milford, CT
· Intensive Northeastern Herbal Study Program
· Energy Healing
2010-2012 Ashworth University Norcross, GA Journeyman Plumber Certificate
· Plumbing Program Certification
March 2002 Indian Health Services Mashantucket, CT
· Conference on Cultural Unity
· Post Traumatic Stress study panel
February 2000 State of Ct DEP Hartford, CT
· Certified Connecticut Fishing Instructor
February 1999 Ndakinna Wilderness Training School Greenfield, NY
· Winter wilderness survival course including; shelter building, navigation, animal tracking, fire building, food foraging, tree identification
December 1997 U-mass Worchester, Ma
· Conference on Cultural Competence
October 1997 Ndakinna Wilderness Training School Greenfield, NY
· Animal identification and tracking
1997-2001 Three Rivers Community College Norwich, CT
· Business Management course study
· Courses include; Public Speaking, English Literature, English Composition, Business Management, Accounting 1&2, Intro to Computers
· Honors Deans List
1997-1999 Indian Health Services Cherokee, NC
· Native American Alcohol and Substance abuse counselor training
July 1997 Mohawk Tree of Peace Society Akwesasne, NY
· Mohawk culture and History