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)
I am an enrolled member of a state-recognized tribe, the Nipmuc Nation, also known as the Hassanamisco Band of Nipmuc Indians. We have a reservation in Grafton, MA that has been occupied by our people since long before recorded time. (See http://nipmucmuseum.org/blog/2011/11/10/hassanamisco-reservation-on-the-national-register-of-historic-places/). Many members of my community have tried to unravel the mystery of Molly Pegan/Piggen Pollock Woodland (abt. 1753 to after 1841) but none have succeeded, … Continue reading Introducing My Brick Wall – Molly Pegan
The day before yesterday I lied. I wrote that my next post would be about my 6th great-grandmother, Molly Pegan. I changed my mind. This post is a tribute to my Veteran relations. I am a warrior – descended from generations of warriors. My brother Carl recently retired from a career in the Navy and my brother AB will retire from the Air Force in a … Continue reading Veterans Day
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”!
April 27th, 6 to 8 pm Nipmuc Nation Tribal Office 2010 DEER ISLAND MEMORIAL SACRED RUN & PADDLE: NIPMUC PERSPECTIVES ON THE SACRED JOURNEY Nipmuc Sacred Paddlers Pam Ellis, Cheryll Toney Holley, and Troy Phillips and Mashpee Wampanoag/Nipmuc Sacred Runner and Paddler Marcus Hendricks traced the complete land and water route of the forced removal of our ancestors from S. Natick to Deer Island in … Continue reading Upcoming Events in Nipmuc Country
Hassanamisco Homestead Continue reading Hassanamisco Homestead PowerPoint Presentation
Cheryll Toney Holley 