We acknowledge Indigenous people as the original stewards of the land we live and work on today. We acknowledge the enduring and active relationship of Indigenous people with this land. Gardens by Ruth primarily works on the ground within the territories of the Pawtucket, Massachusett, Nipmuc, Pokanoket, and Mashpee Wampanoag peoples. We acknowledge our painful history of genocide and forced occupation. We honor today’s Tribe members and their work to restore the land, reclaim their culture, and create a safe future for many generations to come.
As we learn to support the native plants and animals of our homes, we must also acknowledge the people native to this region who are just as integral in restoring this balance. Gardens by Ruth uses techniques that honor the land with respect, in part inspired by Indigenous land care practices. Feeling the effects of the global climate crisis, it is imperative we turn to and uplift the voices of these communities. We hold the knowledge of reciprocal and regenerative relationships to plants, animals, and land – those who Indigenous people refer to as our non-human relatives. The City of Boston recently announced a partnership with the Massachusett Tribe for a Climate Action Plan to preserve Boston’s Harbor Islands. Let’s continue calling in Indigenous people not just as survivors but as leaders to more prosperous futures.
We also acknowledge that land acknowledgment is just one small step we can take towards uplifting Indigenous rights and that it is most important to get involved and actually take part in movements locally, regionally, and globally however we are able.
Here are some resources where you can learn about the Indigenous tribal communities of your area and get involved.
https://whyhunger.org/ewrematriation/ – Eastern Woodlands Rematriation is reclaiming the right to food and relationship to the earth for indigenous peoples by helping sustain existing community-led food and medicine projects across tribal communities in the Northeast and prioritizing collective leadership entirely by indigenous womxn and two-spirits. Their Facebook page is active with updates and opportunities.
In Massachusetts:
http://www.naicob.org/ – The North American Indian Center of Boston is a non-profit organization whose mission is to empower the Native American community with the goal of improving the quality of life of Indigenous peoples. The center provides cultural, social, educational, and professional related services to the New England Native American community. There are volunteer opportunities and donations accepted.
Massachusett
http://massachusetttribe.org/ – Descendants of the Neponset band of the Massachusett from whom the present-day Commonwealth of Massachusetts took its name. The Website includes rich history from the Massachusett perspective as well as from some early historical writers. Listed also is current information concerning events, education, and news in their native community.
http://passanageset.org/ – Passanageset is the Native American name given to an area in present-day Quincy, MA. This website details the land-based and school curriculum project started by students to recognize, provide accurate history, and restore the salt marsh ecosystem of the original inhabitants.
Pokanoket
https://pokanokettribe.com/ – American Indians located in present-day Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Prior to European colonization, the Pokanoket were the leadership of the tribal groups that make up the modern-day Wampanoag. The website provides some information about current clans, and the Facebook page highlights recent and upcoming events and opportunities.
Mashpee Wampanoag
https://mashpeewampanoagtribe-nsn.gov/ – The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, also known as the People of the First Light, has inhabited present-day Massachusetts and Eastern Rhode Island for more than 12,000 years. The website has lots of information on tribal projects, structure, and history. We also highly recommend stopping by the museum for a tour.
Nipmuc
https://www.nipmucnation.org/ – The official site of the Tribal Government and Citizens of Nipmuc Nation features history and Nipmuc language resources. Their social media also highlights additional resources and events.
https://www.nipmucmuseum.org/ – The museum is closed for restoration as of this writing, hopefully reopening soon. The website includes other resources and highlighted projects.
In New Hampshire:
https://www.cowasuck.org/ – Cowasuck Band of Abenaki-Penacook provide educational & cultural projects and events, social services, environmental projects, language resources and more. They are very active on their Facebook page, including regular events such as webinars which we have enjoyed attending!
https://indigenousnh.com/ – A grassroots movement of community members of diverse cultural backgrounds, working to re-frame New Hampshire’s heritage through a decolonial lens. Created in partnership with the Cowasuck tribal leaders, University of NH faculty, and undergraduate students, this site includes educational lesson plans to bring to classrooms, a cultural story map to explore, and many more resources.
https://abenakitribe.org/ – Headquartered in the Northeast Kingdom, the mission of the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation is to strengthen their government; to build community, and ensure sustainability; to protect customs and traditions; and to continue to promote their culture and celebrate their heritage while sharing it. They are working on many amazing projects like the Abenaki Trails Project and the Abenaki Seeds Project. We are delighted they are so involved in the Kearsarge area of NH.
https://www.abenakitrails.com/ – One of the many projects of the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki, this project will help educate the general public and share a cultural exchange with the Abenaki people, past and present by identifying sacred cultural sites, with community partners, to record their meaning and uses for Abenaki people historically and today.
https://www.indianmuseum.org/ – The Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum displays artifacts and presents information on prehistoric to contemporary Native Americans from every corner of the North American continent. They offer in-depth personal tours for museum members, and regularly host workshops, lectures, and special events.
Big thanks to Ryleigh Hall & friends for helping put together this post!
-Ruth