Indigenous Peoples Day in Melrose
Indigenous Peoples Day is coming up, and this is the first year Melrose is officially celebrating it! Here are three ways you can observe the holiday in our community.
On Sunday Oct 10 at 7 pm local historian Jim Bennett will give a virtual presentation for teens and adults titled: “The Massachusett Tribe: A story of survival and resistance.” Jim will talk about the history of the Massachusett People as they faced European settlers invading their land, specifically focusing on the place we call Melrose. Because topics will include some discussion of violence, this would not be suitable for young children. To register, please send an email to IndigenousHistoryMelrose@gmail.com
On Indigenous Peoples Day itself, there are two in-person events planned.
Monday October 11 at 11:00 am, we invite families and people of all ages to gather at the Gazebo at Ell Pond (on Main St.) for a presentation titled: “This Land: How Indigenous people lived here for thousands of years before the European invasion.” Local historian Jim Bennett will guide the audience through activities that will help them learn how Indigenous people lived in this area before the Europeans invaded, and how the invasion affected them. All ages are welcome. Parents or guardians should accompany young children.
Monday October 11 at 6:45 pm, Melrose Highlands Congregational church will host a screening of DAWNLAND and DEAR GEORGINA. Can reconciliation help heal the scars from childhoods lost? DAWNLAND is the untold story of Indigenous child removal in the US through the nation's first-ever government-endorsed truth and reconciliation commission held in Maine.
DEAR GEORGINA follows a Passamaquoddy elder as she tries to fill in the blurry outlines of her identity. A live-streamed conversation between Native American guests and the makers of these short films will follow.
PLEASE NOTE: Event is free, but registration is required: