Watertown’s Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration to Feature Music, Dancing, Storytelling, and Crafts
The following press release was provided by the Pigsgusset Initiative
Watertown – Watertown’s 2nd celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day will be held on Sunday, 10/1/23, from 1:30 to 5:00 PM at the Hosmer Elementary School, 1 Concord Road, Watertown, MA. The free event will feature Indigenous musicians, artists and vendors.
Performers include: Nettukkusqk Singers, a traditional women’s singing and drumming group composed of Deborah Spears Moorehead (Wampanoag) Fine Artist and Music Performer, and Music Performers Pam Ellis (Nipmuc), Jasmine C. Moorehead (Wampanoag) and Jacquelyn D. Moorehead (Wampanoag); Brock Stonefish, (Moravian Delaware Nation), a internationally recognized singer and songwriter; Eastern Sun Drummers and Dancers, (Mashpee Wampanoag), performing songwriter Thea Hopkins (Aquinnah Wampanoag); artist, musician & singer/songwriter Geri Barney (Navajo); Teddy Hendricks (Mashpee Wampanoag, Nipmuc), storyteller; and Maria Hendricks (Assonet & Mashpee Wampanoag), actress appearing as Sipu and the Master of Ceremonies for the event. Sipu is the main character in New Repertory Theatre’s presentation of the Indigenous historical play Listen to Sipu by Mashpee Wampanoag playwright Mwalim *7). We will also feature Judy Fallows, who will describe the “three sisters gardens” at the elementary and middle schools.
Sonya Avant (Mashpee Wampanoag) will be selling delicious Indigenous food and an Indigenous crafts corner will be open throughout the day for children of all ages. Indigenous vendors include: Deborah Moorehead (Indigenous art); Leslie Tuplin (Native Solutions); Holly Carrol Cachimuel (handmade crafts from Otavalo, Ecuador); Bob and Cindy Shelley (Native American Indian craft); Geri Barney (Navajo, paintings); Julia Marden (Aquinnah Wampanoag, Eastern woodland art) and Hartman Deetz, (Mashpee Wampanoag, Ockway Bay Wampum). Belmont Bookstore will be selling books by and about Indigenous people.
This event is funded by a generous grant from the Watertown Community Foundation, the Massachusetts Cultural Council and a grant from Watertown Savings Bank and donations from individuals. Members of the community-based Pigsgusset Initiative, a working group of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment, are organizing the event in partnership with New Repertory Theatre. Members of the organizing committee include Teddy and Maria Hendricks (Mashpee Wampanoag & Assonet), Stephanie Stonefish Ryan (Moravian Delaware Nation), Eileen Ryan, Jacqui Gross and Jennifer Wolfrum. Supporters and sponsors include First Parish Watertown, the Cuniff, Hosmer and Lowell Elementary Diversity and Belonging Councils, Watertown’s Department of Community Development and Planning, Watertown Boys and Girls Club, Watertown Community for Black Lives and WHERE ARE ALL THE BLACK PEOPLE AT.
For further information contact: Jennifer Wolfrum, [email protected]
Watch WCN’s coverage of last year’s inaugural celebration
Recent Stories
-
Watertown Group Advocates for Repeal of Winter Parking Ban Ahead of Upcoming City Council Meeting
WATERTOWN, MA — The Watertown City Council will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, January 21st at 6 p.m. to discuss a petition calling for the repeal of the city’s winter parking ban. The petition, submitted by the group Watertown Citizens for Better Parking, argues that the current ban creates significant challenges for residents, particularly…
-
Watertown Non-Profit DEAF Inc. Advocates for and Empowers Deaf and DeafBlind Communities
WATERTOWN, MA – For nearly five decades, Deaf Inc. has been a cornerstone of support and empowerment for the deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened, and deafblind communities in Massachusetts. Founded in 1977, Deaf Inc. relocated its main office to Watertown in 2023. The organization provides a wide range of services, including advocacy, housing assistance, tax…
-
Addressing Loneliness and Isolation: Watertown Launches Coffee Socials for Veterans
WATERTOWN, MA – Loneliness and isolation are more than feelings—they’re public health challenges with severe mental and physical consequences. As Dr. Jay Gorman, a clinical research psychologist with the Bedford VA, explained, “Loneliness is a subjective feeling that we have less social connection than we want… Isolation is the objective, real-time lack of social interaction.”…