Unnai

On Facebook and in-person, members of the Nipmuc tribe have voiced support for the ‘Idle No More’ movement sweeping across first Canada and now, the world. “Idle No More’ is a grassroots movement begun by First Nation people in response to planned legislation in Canada. The bill, C-45, opens the door for development around previously protected waterways. The majority of these waterways are on First Nation land.

In support of the ‘Idle No More’ movement and to force the heads of Canada to meet with First Nation leaders on the issues surrounding Bill C-45, Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence began a hunger strike on December 11, 2012. Drinking only clear liquids, Chief Spence ignited the movement into the world-wide protest against still-existing colonialism in Canada.

In a show of solidarity, Nipmuc Candia Flynn-MacArthur traveled to Victoria Island in Ottawa to visit with Chief Spence. Here in Massachusetts, several Nipmucs joined the Flash-mob Round Dance on New Year’s Eve at Quincy Market in Boston. Nipmucs on Facebook have made dozens of posts and re-posts supporting the movement.

The positive energy generated by the Idle No More movement is impacting indigenous people world-wide. Let’s keep that energy flowing.

‘Unity’ is a major topic of discussion these days among Nipmuc people. Currently, there are three bands of Nipmuc – Nipmuc Nation (Hassanamisco), Chaubunagungamaug, and Natick. The Nipmuc Nation and Chaubunagungamaug bands are state-recognized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. There are also many people and families that descend from Nipmuc ancestors but are not enrolled in any band.

The Unity movement seeks to establish a formal collaboration between the bands and to provide protection and a sense of belonging for Nipmucs that do not belong to a band. Some things that may be accomplished by Unity include:

•                     A Unified Political Voice
•                     More Strength in Numbers
•                     Political Clout/Power
•                     A Land Base
•                     Economic Sustainability
•                     The Continuation of Our Culture
•                     Pooling of Resources

Emotions, continued bad blood, individual actions, and band non-action have slowed the People’s response to uniting. But we will continue on. After all – We Are the Seventh Generation and the Great Awakening has begun.

Here are some images of the former Hassanamisco Nipmuc Sachem, Zara CiscoeBrough.

Recently, the UMass Boston Native Tribal Scholars program paid a visit to the Fiske Center for Archaelogical Research at UMass Boston. One of the Fiske Center’s projects is Hassanamesit Woods in Grafton, MA where the team is actively investigating the remains of a 19th century Nipmuc farmstead.

The Sarah Boston Farmstead is so named after the last full-time occupant of the dwelling. On this small (now) piece of land dwelled four generations of Nipmuc women and, thanks in large part to the Fiske Center, their stories are now unfolding.

Because land passed through the females of our tribe, Sarah Robins (abt. 1689 – bef. 1750), Sarah Muckamaug (1718 – 1751), Sarah Burnee (1744 – 1810) and Sarah Boston (abt. 1787 – 1837) all occupied the “Muckamaug Allotment” in what is now Keith Hill in Grafton, MA.

Per the Hassanamesit Woods Project website, the project seeks to “link the investigation of the past with the educational and cultural activities of the Town of Grafton and the Nipmuc Nation.”

During the field trip, the teens viewed a slide show giving an overview of the project and  toured the various labs where the artifacts were conserved, washed, investigated and stored. They got a little wet and dirty at the end of the trip while they assisted the Fiske Center team in washing bags of artifacts from the farmstead.

Please click on the link below for more pictures from the visit.

Fiske-field-trip

Aquene!