The following announcement was provided by the Pigsgusset Intiative:
The Watertown Free Public Library, together with the Upstander Project and the community-based Pigsgusset Initiative, will host a conversation about Indigenous Views on the Origins of the American Revolution on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Watertown Savings Bank Room at the library. The event will include drumming, a short documentary film screening, and a panel discussion. This event is free and open to the public, and attendees are strongly encouraged to register online at watertownlib.org/events.
Join Watertown resident and co-founder of the Pigsgusset Initiative and Upstander Project, Mishy Lesser, Chris Newell (Passamaquoddy author, educator, musician, and knowledge-keeper), Graham Marshall (Mi’kmaq educator, musician, and culture-sharer), and Kristine Malpica (public historian and researcher at Upstander Project) will share their perspectives after a screening of Upstander Project’s short documentary, “Bounty.” Learn about the colonial-era scalp laws that terrorized Native peoples and how they influenced the decision by many to side with the American Patriots against the British.
The event will start promptly at 7 p.m. with drumming and singing. Belmont Books will have copies for sale of Chris Newell’s books: “If You Lived During the American Revolution” and “If You Lived During the Plimouth Thanksgiving” along with Ned Blackhawk’s “The Rediscovery of America.”
The Pigsgusset Initiative seeks to increase communication and promote collaboration among Watertown residents to undo the erasure of Indigenous Peoples from the place now called Watertown and promote inclusive historical narratives. For more information about the Pigsgusset Initiative: https://watertowncitizens.org/working-groups/pigsgusset-initiative/
For further information about this event contact: Jennifer Wolfrum, jenniferwolfrum13@gmail.com