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Resilience of the Piscataway People

Piscataway historian Mario Harley will explore Piscataway Indigenous history from pre-European contact through the present day.

This insightful presentation offers a Tribal perspective on the rich history of the Piscataway People. Through the lens of his Piscataway ancestors, Mario will explore the survival strategies shaped by cultural values and inter-tribal relationships.

This presentation highlights the resilience and adaptability of the region's Indigenous communities, emphasizing their ongoing presence and dedication to preserving traditions on their ancestral lands in the Nation's Capital, Northern Virginia, Southern Maryland, and the Chesapeake Bay.

Mario Harley is a citizen of the Piscataway Indian Tribe, and a member of the Wild Turkey Clan. Since childhood, he has embraced and lived his culture. He is a graduate of the American University in Washington DC with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Since 1991, Mario has been a lifetime “Sequoyah" member of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES). Beginning in 2013, Mario has been the lead volunteer instructor for the Charles County Indian Education program for Native American students. In collaboration with the University of Maryland leadership team, Mario served as the Piscataway lead in implementing various Tribal themes and history displays within their Yahentamitsi (Yah-hen-tah-mit-si) Dining Hall. He led a team of Piscataway citizens in developing a curriculum and teaching Piscataway history to Honor Course students at the University of Maryland, College Park campus which was first offered for the Fall 2023 semester. Mario is currently serving as the Piscataway Tribal representative to the Mallows Bay – Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council.

He has been an active member in perpetuating the Piscataway culture, teaching the youth, educating the public, and advocating for the lands and waterways that make up the traditional Piscataway homeland which includes most of the western shore of Maryland, northern Virginia and Washington DC. The tribal history that is being shared belongs to all the Piscataway people. He views his tribal knowledge as a gift bestowed upon each generation from the elders.

* This project has been financed in part with State funds from the Maryland 250 Commission, an instrumentality of the State of Maryland. Project contents or opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the State or Maryland 250 Commission.

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