MASHANTUCKET, CT – (February 15, 2023) – Nakai Clearwater Northup, a Tribal Member of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and Pequot Museum Manager of Public Programs, has been named to Connecticut Magazine’s 40 Under 40 for 2023. Nominated by both readers and Connecticut Magazine staff, recipients of the honor are chosen due to their power to inspire others to do great things of their own.

As the Public Programs Manager of the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center, Northup has spent more than ten years developing educational programs on eastern woodland tribal history and culture for visitors of all ages. He serves as the Vice Chair of the Tribe’s Natural Resources Protection Committee, and as a board member of the Stonington Historical Society. Northup joins other young influential people across Connecticut representing a kaleidoscope of backgrounds and pursuits in this year’s list.

 “It is an honor to be celebrated for my work in sharing the stories of my community with the world,” said Northup. “I am proud to have been recognized by Connecticut Magazine for this award, and look forward to continuing to educate others around our rich history and culture for future generations to come.”

Northup is a frequent speaker and lecturer on historic preservation, environmental Indigenous activism, food sovereignty and teaching traditional eastern woodland histories and lifeways. He has both Mashantucket Pequot and Narragansett bloodlines, and is a passionate advocate and activist for Native American rights.

“Nakai is a valued member of our team here at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum, and we are thrilled that he has received this notable recognition,” said Robert Hayward, Director of Museum Marketing. “He has been an instrumental part of the development of our educational programs and interactive exhibits for over ten years; there is no one that deserves this award more.”

The Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center is the world’s largest Native American museum, serving as a major resource on the histories and cultures of Native Americans in the northeast and on the region's rich natural history. The museum consists of 308,000 square feet of permanent and temporary exhibits, in addition to a Research Center where ongoing work from the field is evaluated and studied.

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About the Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center

The Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center is a 308,000 square foot non-profit educational institution owned and operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, representing the Tribe’s history and culture as well as the natural history of Southeastern Connecticut and the richness and diversity of indigenous cultures and societies throughout North America.  Spectacular exhibits and galleries span 98,000 square feet showcasing tribal cultures, science, the arts, and the abundance of local natural resources from the Ice Age to present day.  Open throughout the spring, summer and fall, the museum offers a variety of educational programs and exciting events for all ages.  The facility consists of permanent exhibits, the Mashantucket Gallery, classrooms, a 320-seat auditorium, a restaurant, and museum shop, while the research center houses collections, libraries, archives, and archaeology and conservation laboratories.  For more information about the world’s largest Native American museum, please visit our website.