In 1643 Roger Williams, founder of the colony of Rhode Island and a trader, published his Key Into the Language of America. He intended it to be used as a guidebook to language for traders, and recorded what he thought were useful phrases and their translation into English. But in its observations, insights, and preservation of the Narragansett/Algonquian language, it has become one of the most important documents of early Indigenous American culture, a testament to the power and vibrancy of Eastern Woodland Native life before the greater devastation of land loss, war, and disease of the late 17th century. 

Watch this recording of a discussion led by Lorén Spears, Narragansett, educator, and executive director of the Tomaquag Museum in Exeter, Rhode Island, as we explored a unique window onto early Native life in New England. We read the Tomaquag Museum Edition of A Key Into the Language, edited by Loren and other members of the Narragansett Tribe. We saw how language provides an opening on to a rich, nuanced, warm, and generous culture - so generous, as Williams remarked, that the Narragansett surpassed the so-called Christians in their welcoming of the visitor and willingness to share. 

Roger Williams' colonial and Puritan worldview colored his observations, making the teasing out of his prejudices from the historical record part of the challenge of reading his book. The important notes added to this superb edition by a Narragansett editorial team led by Loren Spears and contributions by renown scholar Kathleen J. Bragdon, professor of anthropology and linguistics at William and Mary University, add a crucial Native perspective and comment on Williams' historical and linguistic accuracy. 

PLEASE NOTE

You can buy a copy of Williams’ Key Into the Language of America  from the Tomaquag Museum, from the publisher, or from bookstores or online. 

Lorén M. Spears, Narragansett, executive director of the Tomaquag Museum, has been an educator for 25 years, and served as an adjunct faculty at Brown University and at the University of Rhode Island. She shares her cultural knowledge and traditional arts learned through her family through museum programs for the public. In addition to co-editing A Key Into the Language, she has written curriculum, poetry, and narratives published in a variety of publications such as Dawnland Voices, An Anthology of Indigenous Writing of New England; Through Our Eyes: An Indigenous View of Mashapaug Pond; The Pursuit of Happiness: An Indigenous View, From Slaves to Soldiers: The 1st Rhode Island Regiment in the American Revolution.

Lorén works tirelessly to empower Native youth and to educate the public about Native history, culture, the environment and the arts. She was appointed by Governor Gina Raimondo to serve on the board of the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts and the Rhode Island Historical Records Advisory Board and serves on many other boards including New England Museum Association, National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, The Pell Center’s Story in the Public Square and South County Tourism Council.

Under her leadership, the Tomaquag Museum received the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ National Medal. Spears has also received numerous awards including a Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, from the University of Rhode Island 2017, a Doctor of Education, honoris causa, from Roger Williams University in 2021, the Extraordinary Woman Award 2010, International Day 2010, the Urban League, Woman of Substance Award, 2006 and the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities 2016 Tom Roberts Prize for Creative Achievement in the Humanities. She is married to Robin Spears Jr., artist, environmental police officer, and mason. She has three grown children, and one grandchild.