Since the early days of camp there has always been a kindred relationship between Native American traditions and those found woven into the fabric of Camp Fuller.  Many of these roots were sewn by a revered Rhode Island woman who was on the camp staff and visited on a regular basis.  She introduced and taught campers and staff Native culture, crafts, traditions and dance as part of a unique program and brought a broader understanding of her people to an eager audience during her summers there.  The stories she told not only at Fuller, but wherever she visited are legendary.

Red Wing (born Mary E. Glasko) was born in Sprague, Connecticut in 1896.  Her mother named her Red Wing after the red-winged blackbird,  “to fling her mission far with grace, for ears that harken for the uplift of my race.”  

At the age of nine, she moved to Rhode Island and began her journey as an educator, international speaker, artist, storyteller and activist.  She rose through the ranks and became the Squaw Sachem of the New England Council of Chiefs in 1945. This position allowed her to wear a big bonnet and perform sacred ceremonies like weddings, baptisms, christenings and Thanksgivings.  

Her prominence and knowledge of her heritage took her all over the country for speaking engagements and ceremonies.  But, she refused to attend the dedication of Mount Rushmore in 1941 because she felt it desecrated a sacred place. She was a member of the Speakers Research Committee of the under-secretariat of the United Nations from 1947-1970 and once spoke to that prestigious institution.

Red Wing was an international icon who dined with world leaders and brought enlightenment to universities, seats of government, the United Nations, and Camp Fuller.

She was first and foremost, a story-teller who was committed to the preservation of Native American traditions.  She brought her gifts of storytelling to the kids and staff at Camp Fuller in the 1950’s.  Those who remember her were mesmerized with her silver bracelets and beaded headband which she wore with great pride.   She must have enjoyed her time at camp immensely and became a member of the summer staff in 1952.

Her enthusiasm and pride of her heritage and her people became the foundation upon which she led programs at Camp Fuller.  Much of what she did while at camp can still be felt in the Council Ring and in some of the programs and traditions which still live at camp.

In 1975, Red Wing received a Doctor of Humane Affairs from the University of Rhode Island. Over the years, she received numerous awards from the Rhode Island Federation of Women’s Clubs, the Boston Indian Council and the Rhode Island Writers Guild.  

In 1958, she co-founded the Tomaquag Museum in Exeter, Rhode Island and also served as its curator.  In August, 2020 USA Today named Red Wing as one of the ten most influential women in the history of Rhode Island.

Although there is still much unknown about Red Wing and her influence at Camp Fuller, there is no doubt that her legacy lives on through some of the traditions and culture that still permeate camp.  Some of the native traditions brought to camp by Red Wing gave rise to the Apache Honor Society and later, The Council.  

During the time Red Wing spent at Camp Fuller, we truly believe that she understood what camp was all about.  In short, she understood Camp Fuller and truly wanted others to do the same.

Take a moment and listen to this video recording of a speech which was written around 1955 by Red Wing.  We received a hand-written copy of her speech from the Tomaquag Museum, transposed it and asked a volunteer to record her words.  

Listen as she extends a camp-wide invitation to attend the evening’s Council Fire and try to imagine her standing before the entire camp and summoning them to the big event.

https://youtu.be/TCqjy9te4YY

We would like to acknowledge the following contributors to this story:

• The Tomaquag Museum, Exeter,  Rhode Island.
• The Christian Science Monitor (author John Cech).   November 28, 1980
• The Newport Daily News (authors Katharine Kirakosian and The Tomaquag Museum)

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