The following announcement was provided by the Pigsgusset Initiative:
Watertown’s 3rd celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day will be held on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, from 12:00 to 4:00 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); Red Hawk Singers and Dancers (Mashpee Wampanoag); 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).
Artisans Darius Coombs and Eleanor Coombs (Mashpee Wampanoag) will be demonstrating how to create wampum and corn husk dolls. Participants will be able to make their own corn husk dolls. Sonya Avant (Mashpee Wampanoag) will be selling delicious Indigenous food. Indigenous vendors include: Deborah Moorehead (Indigenous art) and Leslie Tuplin (Native Solutions). Belmont Bookstore will be selling books by and about Indigenous people.
IPD-2024-Flyer-8.5×11-V4This event is funded by generous grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and Watertown Community Foundation together with funding from Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment, Watertown Savings Bank, Stone & Skillet 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. Members of the organizing committee include Stephanie Stonefish Ryan (Lenape), Kim Kublius, Jacqui Gross and Jennifer Wolfrum.
Supporters of the event include: the Cuniff, Hosmer and Lowell Diversity and Belonging Councils, First Parish Watertown, Watertown Boys and Girls Club, Watertown Free Public Library, Watertown Public Arts and Culture Committee, WHERE ARE ALL THE BLACK PEOPLE?, and World in Watertown.
For further information contact: Jennifer Wolfrum, jenniferwolfrum13@gmail.com