Wabanaki Windows 12/24/25: Tribute to Charles Norman Shay – Part 1

Wabanaki Windows 12/24/25: Tribute to Charles Norman Shay – Part 1

From Wabanaki Windows | WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives by WERU-FM 89.9

December 24, 2025 · 60 min

About this episode

This episode pays tribute to Charles Norman Shay, focusing on his early life and experiences as a hero and survivor of D Day in WWII.

Host: Donna Loring Other credits: Technical assistance for the show was provided by Joel Mann of WERU, and Jessica Lockhart. Music by Ralph Richter, a track called little eagles from his CD Dream Walk. Wabanaki Windows is a monthly show featuring topics of interest from a Wabanaki perspective. This month: Charles’ early life and the importance of his story as a hero and survivor of D Day in WWII. Guest/s:  Harald Prins & Bunny McBride – Bunny Mcbride is an award-winning author and journalist whose work has focused on Indigenous peoples around the world. Harald Prins is a cultural anthropologist and longtime scholar of Wabanaki history. He and Bunny worked closely with Charles over many years. They helped place Charles’s life story within its broader historical and moral context. They shared a close personal and professional relationship with Charles Shay and helped bring his story to the world. Jennifer Neptune is a member of the Penobscot Nation, is the Director of the Penobscot Nation Museum on Indian Island. A master basketmaker and cultural educator, she knew Charles as an elder and carries forward his memory through her craftmanship and storytelling…

People in this episode

Host: Donna Loring

Guests: Harald Prins, Bunny McBride, Jennifer Neptune, James Francis

Topics covered

  • Wabanaki perspective
  • Charles Norman Shay
  • D Day
  • WWII
  • Indigenous peoples
  • cultural history

Keywords

  • Charles Norman Shay
  • D Day
  • WWII
  • Wabanaki
  • Indigenous history
  • cultural education
  • Penobscot Nation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Penobscot Nation, WERU

Books & works: Dream Walk, little eagles

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