The Museum has a proposed Strategic Plan that I hope will be adopted by the Museum Committee. It’s posted below the break. First, here is the Museum’s mission: Mission Statement: To perpetuate the arts, crafts, and way of life of New England’s Indigenous Peoples; preserve the culture and history of indigenous people, particularly that of the Nipmuc Indian; and preserve and protect the unique character … Continue reading Strategic Planning
Before I start this post, let me say straight out. There is no nefarious plot to combine the bands, change the spelling of Nipmuc Nation, or overthrow the current administration. OK? That being said, we accomplished alot in the working together column. In April, the Natick Nipmuc Band presented at the Nipmuc Nation tribal office “2010 Deer Island Memorial Sacred Run & Paddle: Nipmuc Perspectives … Continue reading Working Together in Nipmuc Country in 2011
At 12:00 am this morning, my grandsons and I blew into our noise-makers and jumped up and down. We had a party in my living room to welcome the year 2012. I rushed them outside to try and catch the firework display with our binoculars and telescopes but there didn’t seem to be one. We came back in, ate some more, drank some more, called … Continue reading Not Quite the New Year
NIKKOMO CELEBRATION Nikkomo is celebrated by many NE Woodland tribes. It is the first winter moon and is a time of giving what the Creator made possible through the harvest. Come and celebrate this season with us on December 17th at the Nipmuc Nation Tribal Office. Aquene Continue reading Nikkomo – December 17, 2011
The call came while Lydia flipped her grandchildren’s pancakes. Lydia glanced at the call ID and frowned as she looked at her treaty husband’s number. “Hello?”, “Oh, it’s you, Oakes. How are you?” She continued the frown while listening and plating the kids’ supper. “Uh huh, well, what makes you think I can do anything about it? Can you hold on, please?” Lydia called her grandbabies … Continue reading Tribal Tribulations (Part 1)
On September 6, 2011, the National Register of Historic Places added the Hassanamisco Reservation to its list of national treasures. Known as Hassanamesit, the under 4 acre reservation serves as the cultural and spiritual center of the Nipmuc Nation, a state-recognized tribe in Massachusetts. Located on the reservation is the Cisco Homestead, which for two centuries served as home to Nipmuc tribal leaders and now … Continue reading Hassanamisco Reservation on the National Register of Historic Places!
Ok so every second Monday in October the same thing occurs. Columbus Day. Named for that intrepid sailor who refused to believe that the Americas were not Asia until his THIRD trip here. Every year there are parades and every year Native people and others (btw, “Thanks, Others!”) protest the celebration of a man who dedicated years of his life to the exploitation, torture and … Continue reading Celebrate Columbus? Nah! Let’s Celebrate “Indigenous Survival Day”!
Cheryll Toney Holley 