Mayis: Native American oral histories from Maryland's Eastern Shore

By Sheilah Kast,

Melissa Gerr

Published April 5, 2024 at 11:01 AM EDT

Drew Shuptar-Rayvis, Pekatawas MakataWai’U/ Xaskwím Sëk - Black Corn, citizen and cultural ambassador of the Pocomoke Indian Nation, at the unveiling of the Manonoakin Indian Town sign in Princess Anne MD, November 2023). Photo: John Brinton Photography — Drew Shuptar-Rayvis, Pekatawas MakataWai’U/ Xaskwím Sëk - Black Corn, Citizen and Cultural Ambassador of the Pocomoke Indian Nation, at the unveiling of the Manonoakin Indian Town sign in Princess Anne MD, November 2023. Photo: John Brinton Photography

We learn about the Native communities who lived, and still live along Maryland's Eastern Shore. Drew Shuptar-Rayvis, a citizen and ambassador of the Pocomoke Indian Nation, paints a picture of their traditions and ways of life, drawing on collected oral histories.

Links: Mayaisuwàk (They Speak in One Voice): The Oral History and History of Place of Maryland's Eastern Shore Tribal Communities and Remnant Descendants virtual lunch and learn, Maryland Archives Mayis Indigenous Records Guide.

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Sheilah Kast

Sheilah Kast is the host of On The Record, Monday-Friday, 9:30-10:00 am.

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Melissa Gerr

Melissa Gerr is a Senior Producer for On the Record. She started in public media at Twin Cities Public Television in St. Paul, Minn., where she is from, and then worked as a field producer for Oregon Public Broadcasting in Portland. She made the jump to audio-lover in Baltimore as a digital media editor at Mid-Atlantic Media and Laureate Education, Inc. and as a field producer for "Out of the Blocks." Her beat is typically the off-beat with an emphasis on science, culture and things that make you say, 'Wait, what?'

See stories by Melissa Gerr