TURNERS FALLS — As the 10th annual Day of Remembrance nears, those with Indigenous ancestry seek to ensure that the horrors of the Great Falls Massacre don’t stray far from memory.

“It needs to be an ongoing thing because in some way or another, we have to reach future generations because pretty soon, our time here is going to grow short,” said Joe Graveline, co-founder and former president of the Nolumbeka Project, a local nonprofit Indigenous historical and cultural preservation organization that hosts the Day of Remembrance.

The annual commemoration, intended to recognize the often untold story of the conflict of May 19, 1676 at the falls, is organized by the Nolumbeka Project. This year’s chapter, now recognizing the 347th anniversary of the massacre, will take place Saturday, May 20 from 1 to 3:30 p.m., rain or shine, on the lawn behind the Great Falls Discovery Center.

According to the Nolumbeka Project, the Great Falls Massacre is considered the major turning point of King Philip’s War, when 300 women, children and elders were killed during a surprise pre-dawn attack by Capt. William Turner and colonial militiamen. The yearly Day of Remembrance is in some ways a continuation of the reconciliation ceremony of 2004, when the town of Montague and members of the Narragansett tribe formally recognized the conflict of May 19, 1676, according to Nolumbeka Project Outreach Coordinator Diane Dix.

Aside from “bringing in younger hearts and younger minds and giving them a chance to connect with elders,” the Day of Remembrance is timely environmentally, Graveline said. He said “there’s a lot of healing that has to be done from an environmental standpoint” in the Connecticut River Valley, noting that honoring the land is customary for tribal peoples. One of the most prominent impediments of environmental justice, he said, is the reluctance of utility companies to prioritize environmental needs over business interests. Currently, tribal stakeholders and FirstLight Hydro Generating Co. are negotiating relative to the company’s pursuit of a controversial 50-year relicensing from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The company’s practices have been criticized for their effect on river health.

“It all ties in together,” Graveline summarized.

Honored guests who will be in attendance include Liz Coldwind Santana-Kiser and Ken White, members of the Chaubunagungamaug Band of the Nipmuck Indians Council; Elnu Abenaki Chief Roger Longtoe Sheehan; Rich Holschuh, Elnu Abenaki tribal historic preservation officer and spokesperson; and Graveline. Graveline stressed that while there will be a series of speakers, this year’s Day of Remembrance will be a “participation event” that includes opportunities for attendees “to pray in their own fashion,” as well as burn sage and other offerings in a fire.

Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-930-4231 or jmendoza@recorder.com.

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