This virtual gathering was broadcast live on Sunday, October 18th, 2020
You can watch this full program below…
3NOTE: You can also to listen to any individual segment of this program by clicking on link to right of it:
This program was centered on listening to Indigenous voices – along with acts of solidarity, interfaith prayers, and song from non-Indigenous allies.
Welcome by program host / MC Rhonda Anderson — Iñupiaq-Athabascan (2:08 listen)
Commissioner of Indian Affairs for Western Massachusetts, co-founder of Ohketeau Cultural Center
Opening Nipmuc prayer & song — Larry Spotted Crow Mann (6:00 listen)
Land acknowledgment: David Brule — Nehantic, President of Nolumbeka Project (4:40 listen)
Spoken beside the Connecticut River at Unity Park in Turners Falls MA – near site of the 1676 Great Falls
massacre & the 2004 Reconciliation Ceremony between Narragansett Tribe & the Town of Montague.
Call to justice: Sr. Clare Carter — New England Peace Pagoda (7:50 listen)
Speaking truth:
John “Jim” Peters, Jr. — Massachusetts Commissioner of Indian Affairs (15:40 listen)
“400 year Wampanoag experience under European colonization”
(Note: due to technical issues in full program, Peters’ talk was delayed until following Rev. Gallagher’s talk.)
Rev. Kelly Gallagher – Southern New England UCC Justice & Witness Ministries (13:00 listen)
“European Christian belief in a God-given right to conquer, enslave, and kill Indigenous people”
Bryan Blanchette — Nulhegan Abenaki musician (6:00 listen)
A new original song “Truth”
Larry Spotted Crow Mann — Nipmuc author, cultural educator, singer, co-founder of Ohketeau Cultural Center.
“We are the Story of the Land. The Nipmuc People of Central and Western Massachusetts are still here and
continue to honor our culture.” (22:00 listen)
Stephanie Morningstar — Oneida, Executive Director of NEFOC Land Trust (7:30 listen)
“Recovering unceded Native lands across Turtle Island”
Leah Penniman — Soul Fire Farm Reclaiming Afro-Indigenous Regenerative Farming Practices (4:00 listen)
“Decolonized ways of growing food that collaborate with ecosystems, rooted in indigenous African
& indigenous Turtle Island growing techniques”
Gaining respect:
Rhonda Anderson — Iñupiaq-Athabascan, Commissioner of Indian Affairs for Western Mass (16:00 listen)
“Respecting the Rights to Our Identity: Regaining control over our identities and representation”
maindigenousagenda.org
Senator Jo Comerford — “The essential role that towns, faith communities, groups & individuals play in getting
laws advancing Native rights & respect passed through the Legislature & signed by Governor” (9:00 listen)
John Sheldon — musician. Song: “The Same Water” (8:30 listen)
Filmed in Unity Park beside the Quinetucket (“beside the long, tidal river”) / Connecticut River. John participated
in the 2016 protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation.
Readings & closing prayers for justice & peace:
Rabbi Benjamin Weiner — Jewish Community of Amherst (4:20 listen)
Dr. Mohammed Saleem Bajwa — Islamic Society of Western Massachusetts (7:00 listen)
Closing: Rhonda Anderson (1:34 listen)