In these days of discord and conflict, I want to acknowledge and appreciate the many people in Watertown who are working to create and support a welcoming community for all. On Sunday, Oct. 12th, we celebrated Watertown’s fourth celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day and over 200 people, young and old, of various races and ethnicities, joined together to celebrate Indigenous people and culture at the Hosmer Elementary School. The mood was joyous and happy; many participants expressed their enjoyment and appreciation for learning more about Indigenous people. Together, in community, we were able to celebrate and support the original peoples of these lands.
I want to thank our planning committee members: Jacqui Gross, Kim Kublius, Nat Harrison, Stephanie Stonefish Ryan and Maria Hendricks for putting in the time and thought to plan, organize and implement this event.
I want to thank our funders: Watertown Community Foundation, Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment, World in Watertown, Watertown Savings Bank, Watertown’s Human Rights Commission and Stone and Skillet. Without them we could not provide such a rich and diverse offering.
I want to thank Wicked Bagel for donating delicious bagels and pastries to keep our performers and volunteers nourished throughout the day; Starbucks Coffee (at the Arsenal Mall) for donating coffee and the Hilton Hampton Inn (Arsenal Mall) for providing a room for two of our artisans.
I want to thank our supporters who helped to publicize the event: Cuniff, Hosmer and Lowell Diversity and Belonging Councils, First Parish Watertown, Historical Society of Watertown, Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness, Watertown Boys and Girls Club, Watertown Free Public Library, Watertown Recreation Department and WHERE ARE ALL THE BLACK PEOPLE.
And, importantly, I want to thank the Indigenous performers and artisans who so generously shared their culture and traditions with our community: Maria Hendricks, Assonet and Mashpee Wampanoag, who served as our MC welcoming participants and introducing all of our presenters, artisans and vendors; the Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers who sang traditional songs and engaged audience members in traditional dances; Teddy Hendricks, Maspee Wampanoag and Nipmuc, storyteller extraordinaire; Darius Coombs, Mashpee Wampanoag, demonstrating wampum creation; Elenor Coombs, Mashpee Wampanoag, offering corn husk doll creation; and Gianni Hendricks, Mashpee Wampanoag and Nipmuch, providing face painting. Vendors who offered Indigenous jewelry, clothing and art work included: Claudia Fox Tree, Arawak-Taino iukaicke Guainia, Leslie Tuplin, First Nation Mik Maq-Lennox Island-PEI and Hartman Deetz, Mashpee Wampanoag. The interactions that occurred during the performances and demonstrations helped to strengthen and build a stronger community.
I also want to thank and acknowledge Dr. Mishy Lesser, founder of the Upstander Project and the Pigsgusset Initiative, Dr. Nathan Braccio, Assistant Professor of History at Clark University, and Marilynne K. Roach, President of the Historical Society of Watertown for their “sneak preview” of the Watertown Indigenous History Storymap. This historical resource, still in the development stage, will offer Watertown residents and others a deep understanding of the history of the original peoples from these lands that we currently call home.
The Watertown Free Public Library brought their bookmobile to showcase all of their many resources by and about Indigenous People and Watertown Faces Climate Change shared information about the connections between Indigenous people and the preservation of our lands and environment along with current threats to our climate.
Many people came together to celebrate, learn and create community. Truly an important event to acknowledge. Thank you to everyone who participated!
With gratitude,
Jennifer Wolfrum
Watertown Resident,