New York State Parks welcomes new interpreter of Native American history
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has hired Amber Bedard as its first interpreter of Native American history. The state parks system oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites and recreational trails.
Bedard, a member of the Piikani First Nation of the Blackfoot Confederacy in Alberta and Montana, will work to incorporate Indigenous stories and perspectives across 35 state historic sites and parks with historic resources.
In her role, Bedard will collaborate directly with Indigenous tribes and nations to include their voices in historical tours, exhibits and interpretive signage. The position supports the agency’s Our Whole History initiative, launched in 2020 to share historically undertold stories across New York.
“By incorporating Indigenous stories into our interpretive efforts, we are ensuring that the history we share covers a diverse range of perspectives,” said acting Commissioner Kathy Moser.
Bedard brings experience in program evaluation and higher education. She will consult with Tribal Historic Preservation Officers and tribal representatives to ensure interpretation follows principles of reciprocity, respect and community consent.
“Interpretation can be a bridge between the past and the present, but it must be built on respect, listening and reciprocity,” Bedard said. “When we invite Indigenous communities to lead in how their stories are shared, we begin to transform interpretation from a one-way telling into a mutual exchange.”
Ruth Pino, center, retired from The Heart Network’s board this fall after serving for over 12 years. Also pictured are Heart Network Executive Director Ann Morgan, left, and Heart Network Community Health Improvement Coordinator Arriana Patraw. Photo provided
Heart Network pays tribute to retiring board member
The Heart Network and its community partners in Saranac Lake are celebrating the contributions of a longtime volunteer and public servant.
Ruth Pino served on The Heart Network’s Board of Directors for over 12 years, helping the organization shape its strategies to improve community health and reduce the burden of chronic disease across the North Country. Pino also worked as food services director for the Saranac Lake Central School District and frequently collaborated with The Heart Network’s Creating Healthy Schools & Communities program. She retired from both positions this fall.
Pino introduced and championed Saranac Lake’s Farm to School program, which brings fresh, local produce into school cafeterias and helps students foster an understanding of the importance of healthy, sustainable eating. She developed strong partnerships with local growers, and teamed with The Heart Network to plan and implement greenhouses and gardens throughout the school district — facilities that now offer hands-on learning opportunities for students.
Seagle Festival’s General Director Tony Kostecki named ‘Trailblazer in Arts & Culture’
Seagle Festival General Director Tony Kostecki has been recognized as a Trailblazer in Arts & Culture honoree by City & State New York magazine. The prestigious award honors visionary leaders who drive critical work and improve the lives of New Yorkers through the state’s vibrant arts and culture sector. Honorees will be celebrated at an awards ceremony in Manhattan, highlighting his decades-long dedication to the arts and education.
Kostecki has been a central figure in New York’s North Country arts community for decades, most notably through his leadership of Seagle Festival, the oldest opera training program in the United States, founded in 1915. Since January 2008, his tenure has been marked by a period of dramatic expansion for the Adirondack institution. Under his direction, the Festival has grown from a summer-only performance and training festival to a stalwart year-round presence in the local and regional arts scene.