Remembering and Reconnecting: 350 Years after the Great Falls Massacre

In this day of remembrance for the Great Falls massacre, Nolumbeka invites you to honor this day with speakers, music, dancers and art.

The Nolumbeka Project invites you to attend a Day of Remembrance for the 300 women, children and elders killed by colonial forces in the Great Falls Massacre, 350 years ago on May 19, 1676. Find out more at nolumbekaproject.org/350.

Open to the public, this Day of Remembrance includes speakers from several northeastern Tribal nations, Indigenous musicians, and art - and a chance to remember together the tragic history of this site and to begin healing.

There will be plenty of parking (street and lots), food by award-winning Maspee Wampanoag chef Sherry Pocknett, seating during the speeches, and a chance to mingle and learn. Bring your friends and family - carpools are encouraged! We look forward to seeing you there.

STRUCTURE OF THE DAY

The day will be emceed by David Brule, chair of the Nolumbeka Project and coordinator of the Battlefield study grant advisory board. He'll be joined by the Rhode Island-based Eastern Medicine Singers, an Inter-tribal drum group specialising in Eastern Algonquiin traditional music, and Nipmuc flute player Strong Eagle "Many Feathers" Daly.

The main commemoration takes place 12:30-3:30pm, but there are two other important events, too.

REWRITING THE PAST

10:30am, Unity Park

Join the unveiling of new signage at the site of the Turner Monument, written by Nipmuc and Abenaki tribal historic preservation officers and archaeologists. Brief ceremony and music.

MEET THE ARTISTS

11am-12:30pm, Great Hall, Great Falls Discovery Center

Enjoy conversation and coffee with Wampanoag artists Deborah Spears Moorehead and Robert Peters, to learn about and view their powerful art exhibition All Our Relations: To Honor the Wampanoag Supreme Sachem Pometacomet in this welcoming artists' reception.

COMMEMORATION

12:30-3:30pm, Great Falls Discovery Center lawn

Mc'd by David Brule, Nolumbeka Project. The afternoon is opened by drumming, followed by speakers including:

• Pat Allen, chair of the selectboard on May 19, 2004, when the Reconciliation Agreement between the town of Montague and the Narragansett was signed
• Nulhegan Abenaki author and anthropologist Dr. Marge Bruchac
• Award-winning poet Martin Espada
• Liz Coldwind Santana-Kiser, elder, tribal historic preservation officer, and council member of the Chaubunagungamaug Band of Nipmuck Indians
• Roger Longtoe Sheehan, Elnu Abenaki chief and musician
• Artist and author Deborah Spears Moorehead, Seaconke Pokanoket Wampanoag
• Artist Robert Peters, Mashpee Wampanoag
• Artist Diane Travis

Along with food, music, and dance, the afternoon includes a a visit to the Discovery Center art exhibition.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZERS

The Nolumbeka Project is a tribal nonprofit organization that promotes education and awareness of Indigenous histories and cultures of the middle Connecticut River Valley and beyond. Its president, David Brule, is a featured speaker in numerous educational programs and presentations throughout the Connecticut River Valley.

David is also the author of several books comprising his series on regional history, local culture, and the natural world, West Along the River. He serves as chairman of the Nehantic Tribal Council and the Nehantic Nation Cultural Conservancy.

The Partnership of Historic Bostons is an all-volunteer organization. As always, our public history events are free. But to make events such as this one, as part of our Metcom's Resistance series, we need your help! Please donate now to support real history.

Image: "Peskeompskut," by Mashpee Wampanoag artist Robert Peters, shows life at Peskeompskut, or Turners Falls, where Indigenous people gathered to fish, celebrate and come together in the years before the fatal massacre of 1676. Robert Peters' art, along with that of Deborah Spears Moorehead, will be on display at the Great Falls Discovery Center.