2010 Deer Island Memorial

Information courtesy of Pam Ellis, Natick Nipmuc Tribal Council

2010 Deer Island Memorial

Friday, October 29, 2010 & Saturday, October 30, 2010

October 30, 1675 marked the forced removal of American Indians from what is now South Natick to Deer Island in Boston Harbor, roughly two months after  the outbreak of what the English called “King Philip’s War. “ Without  adequate food, clothing, shelter or medicine, the majority of the people, mostly  women, children, and elders, perished during their imprisonment.

Some survived to return to Natick and the other Praying Towns and joined their relations who had fought and survived the military engagements of the war. Through this Memorial, we honor the sacrifice and survival of all of our ancestors.

Please feel free to join the program at any point along the way.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Sunset to

4:00 am Fasting, Prayer, Pipe Ceremony, Spirit Fire @ Hassanamisco Nipmuc Reservation , Grafton, MA

5:00 pm Spirit Fire

6:00 pm Prayer Circle and Pipe Ceremony conducted by Chief Natachaman, Walter Vickers

Donations of firewood and bottled water gratefully accepted. Please bring a chair and blanket. The fast will begin Friday at First Light – some will end the fast at First Light on Saturday. Others will continue to fast until the Community Meal at the Potluck Feast.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

5:00 am – 1:30 pm Sacred Run and Paddle

5:00 am Sacred Run from the Falls at S. Natick to Watertown boat ramp on Charles River Road

The Sacred Run is twelve miles and will proceed along Route 16 to the boat ramp in Watertown on Charles River Road. Runners must provide their own transportation from Watertown.

8:00 am Sacred Paddle from Watertown to Deer Island

The Sacred Paddle will proceed down the Charles River and through the Inner Harbor to Deer Island. Paddlers must provide their own canoes or kayaks and transportation from Deer Island.

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Deer Island Prayer Circle and Pipe Ceremony

4:00 pm – 10:00 pm Potluck Feast & Social

Host Drum: Quabbin Lake Singers (Nipmuc)

MC: Larry Spotted Crow Mann (Nipmuc)

Location: Natick Elks, 99 Speen St., Natick MA 01760

Please bring a potluck dish to share.

ACCOMMODATIONS:

Hampton Inn

319 Speen Street

Natick, MA 01760

(508) 653-5000

http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml;jsessionid=S1IXEW4XRFR2WCSGBJT3EWQ?ctyhocn=BOSNTHX&WT.mc_id=1HX2RE3Hotel4OneTagSol

Red Roof Inn

650 Cochituate Road

Framingham, MA 01701

(508) 872-4499

http://www.redroof-boston-framingham.com/

Travelodge

1350 Worcster Road

Rt 9

Natick, MA 01760

(508) 655-2222

http://www.travelodge.com/Travelodge/control/Booking/property_info?propertyId=07068