Westford's 3rd Annual Indigenous Peoples' Day Observance

Join us for Westford's Third Indigenous Peoples' Day Observance on Saturday, October 17 from 11am - 1pm on Westford Town Common. This community gathering will center on learning and reflection as we honor the land we now call Westford, Massachusetts—historically home to the Nipmuc, Pawtucket (Wamesit), and Nashoba tribes.

We are honored to welcomeback Larry Spotted Crow Mann, following his memorable visit for last year's event. Larry is a registered citizen of the state-recognized Hassanamisco Nipmuc Tribe, award-winning author of "The Mourning Road to Thanksgiving," nationally recognized speaker, and director of the Ohketeau Cultural Center. Through his keynote presentation and land acknowledgement, Larry will share history, identity, and living cultures that deepen our understanding of Indigenous presence and resilience.

Taino Cultural Perforance We are also working to welcome Taino cultural performers as part of this year's educational journey. The Taino are Indigenous peoples of the Caribbean whose cultures and communities continue today despite centuries of colonization and displacement.

Together, their voices invite us into a meaningful afternoon of cultural learning, reflection, and celebration. Join us as we affirm Westford’s ongoing commitment to racial equity, education, and honoring Indigenous history.

After the formal event on the common, head over the the Westford Museum if you'd like to see more about Westford's indigenous history.

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Indigenous Peoples' Day in Massachusetts
Indigenous Peoples’ Day became an official Westford holiday in May 2023. While it is not yet recognized as a state-wide holiday in Massachusetts, many municipalities across the Commonwealth have taken the step of adopting Indigenous Peoples’ Day to honor Native American history, culture, and ongoing presence.
Municipalities that have adopted Indigenous Peoples’ Day include:

Amherst, Aquinnah, Arlington, Bedford, Belmont, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Easthampton, Falmouth, Grafton, Great Barrington, Harvard, Holyoke, Marblehead, Mashpee, Maynard, Medway, Melrose, Newton, Northampton, Provincetown, Salem, Sharon, Somerville, Stow, Wellesley, and Westford.

School systems where school committees have adopted Indigenous Peoples’ Day (even if the town itself has not yet acted):

Acton-Boxborough, Chelsea, Lawrence, Lowell, Martha’s Vineyard Schools, and Wayland.

Here in Westford, the Westford Historical Society & Museum houses a collection of Indigenous relics that reflect the area’s Native American history. These artifacts include tools, pottery, arrowheads, a mortar and pestle, and other cultural items once used by the Pawtucket and Nashoba tribes, who originally inhabited this region.